Location notes
Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. "The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974" There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train. For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.
Water Ark is on the section of 1 in 49 climb between Grosmont and Goathland (between Beck Hole and Darnholm).
Water Ark is on the section of 1 in 49 climb between Grosmont and Goathland (between Beck Hole and Darnholm).
Railway type and traffic
The trains are mostly steam hauled, with a diesel gala in spring and some diesel-hauled services on Summer Saturdays. The spring and autumn steam galas include some demonstration freight trains.
Environment
Water Ark is a rural location with steep hills on either side - there are no problems with crime etc. and the only people you are likely to come across are walkers or other railway photographers. The weather can vary between extremes (and sometimes seasons!) in very short periods of time, so warm / waterproof clothing is advisable.
Road directions
From the A169, follow the signs for Goathland. In the centre of the village, take the road signposted to Beck Hole past the car park (this is also the way to Darnholm). Less than half a mile after the Darnholm crossroads, a footpath leads off the right hand side of the road down to the railway at Water Ark.
NYMR, Water Ark map co-ordinates
NYMR, Water Ark map co-ordinates
Parking
There is roadside parking on the Goathland - Beck Hole road.
Public transport
Take the NYMR to Goathland, then walk along the road to Beck Hole (a public footpath on the right hand side of the road coming out of the station into the village avoids the need to go all the way into the centre of the village). To get to the NYMR, from the north, take the Middlesbrough - Whitby 'Esk Valley Line' service to Grosmont. From the south, Pickering can be reached by buses from Malton / York.
Amenities
There are no amenities at Water Ark - there is a pub at Beck Hole which serves food, but the best bet for toilets etc. is Goathland.
Accommodation
Bed and Breakfasts / rented accommodation are readily available in Pickering (several advertise in the Classified Ads in the railway press).
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
NYMR, Water Ark general view map
NYMR, Water Ark close up map
Multimap links
NYMR, Water Ark on new multimap
NYMR, Water Ark general view map
NYMR, Water Ark close up map
NYMR, Water Ark aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
NYMR, Water Ark
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The line is approximately east / west at this location, so shots can be taken with good lighting in early to mid morning (looking westwards for southbound trains climbing out of Grosmont), or in mid to late afternoon (looking eastwards for northbound trains coasting down the grade to Grosmont). Steam locos generally face southwards (and any facing north will not be emitting much exhaust when going downhill), so the best bet for an afternoon shot looking eastwards is probably a diesel service.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © Nick Wise unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east
The line is approximately east / west at this location, so shots can be taken with good lighting in early to mid morning (looking westwards for southbound trains climbing out of Grosmont), or in mid to late afternoon (looking eastwards for northbound trains coasting down the grade to Grosmont). Steam locos generally face southwards (and any facing north will not be emitting much exhaust when going downhill), so the best bet for an afternoon shot looking eastwards is probably a diesel service.
Fig 2 - Looking north
Taken from a path running alongside the fence at the top of the hillside. There is a further location along this path that is less constrained by the surrounding trees although it can be tricky to get to, especially if the ground is wet.
Fig 3 - Looking north
Taken looking down from the main footpath (and requiring a wide angle lens). A similar shot is available slightly further to the right (and a bit lower down), although both are effectively side-on shots which can become restricted when the trees have leaves on.
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
