The green light has been given to a last minute reprieve for one of Britain’s most iconic railway engines. 4771 “Green Arrow” is now to make a final journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this Saturday 26 April 2008.

Green Arrow will operate at reduced capacity to ensure it is able to fulfil its final day of operation. At the rear of the train another engine, LNWR Super D No. 49395, will assist – both are owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM).

Service Timings for 26th April
This special service will depart Pickering at 12.00 and travel through Levisham, Newtondale Halt, Goathland before arriving at Grosmont at 13.05. It will depart Grosmont at 13.30hrs and arrive back into Pickering at 14.40.

It was widely known that “Green Arrow” was seeing out its last few weeks of operation on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, prior to going on public display at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon.

Three weeks ago operation of the engine had to be suspended, following a full mechanical examination which revealed that two super heater flues were cracked. At that time, and with less than a month remaining before the expiration of historic locomotive’s boiler certificate, it was considered not feasible to embark on a repair programme because it would take in excess of eight weeks.

But engineers at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, working in collaboration with the NRM, have worked miracles to carry out a temporary repair to enable the engine to operate in steam for this last occasion.

Members of the public wishing to purchase tickets for this finale can do so via the NYMR’s Customer Services team, on 01751 472508. Staff at the NRM will also be travelling on this special service, as a means of saying farewell to a much loved friend.

Philip Benham, NYMR General Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer the public a last chance ride, especially after the disappointment of the mechanical failure three weeks ago. I am most grateful to our engineers for their endeavours to make this possible.”

Helen Ashby, Head of Knowledge & Collections at the NRM said: “We realise this opportunity has come about very much at the last minute, but we were reluctant to get the public’s hopes up until we were satisfied that the engine was capable of making a final run.”

4771 “Green Arrow” is the only remaining V2 class from the London & North Eastern Railway era. It was designed and built in the mid 1930s as a mixed traffic engine, capable of hauling passenger coaches but equally comfortable hauling heavy freight. It was one of many designs by the LNER Chief Engineer at that time, Sir Nigel Gresley.

Passengers on Saturday’s Green Arrow trip will be able to enjoy a truly authentic journey as the train will feature a set of carriages also designed by Gresley, and built in teak.

Tickets are now available, please note a fare of £25 per person applies for a return journey. A total of 80 seats available on a first come, first served basis. Call 01751 472508 for further details and to purchase your ticket for a last chance ride on Green Arrow.

A crying shame!

R.I.P.