Sixties swing again on Yorkshire Moors railway

Nancy Ann Lee, 'Little Mix Sixties', is performing at Levisham Station on the North York Moors Railway as part of the Swinging Sixties weekend. Picture: Gary Longbottom

Stations along the heritage railway’s 18-mile stretch of line that crosses the North York Moors between Pickering and Whitby have been transformed to celebrate the bygone era.

A pop-up museum displaying 1960s memorabilia was created at Pickering, while live music is being performed at Levisham and Goathland, where real ale bars were also set up.

The general manager at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Chris Price, said: “Every year we look forward to our Swinging Sixties event and 2016 has been no different.

Sisters Sue Macathur (left) and Gillian Humphreys from Bridlington and Pickering at Levisham Station on the North York Moors Railway for the Swinging Sixties weekend

“It’s always brilliant to see visitors both young and old turning out to celebrate what was a fun and liberating decade, and some of the fancy dress attempts always put a smile on the faces of our team, let alone the guests themselves.”

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway carries more than 350,000 passengers a year and lays claim to being the world’s most popular heritage route.

It was planned by George Stephenson to open trade routes inland from Whitby.

TEN FACTS ABOUT THE SIXTIES

Glen Leon from The New Amen Corner with the rest of the band at Levisham Station on the North York Moors Railway as part of the Swinging Sixties weekend

1. 1961 – First man in space and first humans to walk on the moon (1969).

2. In 1966, the first Intercity train began its journey (no word on whether it’s arrived yet).

3. A season ticket to see Manchester United cost £8.50.

4. Coco Pops were launched in 1961.

4. Coronation Street first aired in 1960.

5. Dr Who first appeared on television in 1963.

6. In 1962 the first computer video game, Spacewar, was invented. But only a few boffins had computers.

7. The Beatles began their career. They leapt to fame in 1963 with ‘Please Please Me’.

8. Fashion highlights included Doc Marten’s boots, the Twiggy look and mini skirts.

9. Children’s toys included Etch-a-Sketch, Scalextric, Mousetrap, Sindy and Action Man.

10. New cars included the Ford Capri (1969), Consul Cortina (1963) and Escort (1968), which replaced the Anglia.