Moors railway opens long-awaited learning and visitor centre

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is realising a long-held ambition to run a heritage education programmes for youngsters and local groups.

In June, a new two-storey learning centre officially opened on Platform 2 with a large classroom, purpose-built archives and a smaller reading room, called the Reussner Education Centre, in memory of Graham Reussner, the railway's former archivist.

A new visitor centre has also been under construction on Platform 2, which was fitted out last week in time for yesterday's opening to the public.

Maria Vinnels, learning and young volunteer support officer, said: "I'm delighted how completely different and new this is going to be.

"None of it is reused or donated stuff that we have had to make do with. It is all new and made for the purpose of being in a visitor centre.

"There are model smokebox doors for children to open which have railway-related sights, smells and sounds behind them, and a huge topographical map/model of the railway and its environs, with buttons linked to LED lights that people can press."