There was a carnival atmosphere at the station on Tuesday afternoon as locals and tourists gathered eagerly to await the train and give its 450 passengers – North York Moors Railway (NYMR) shareholders and invited dignitaries including Whitby’s mayor and mayoress, and Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire – a warm welcome.

The station was decked out in colourful red, white and blue bunting and flags and some people dressed in 19th Century costume including railway enthusiast, Stuart Naylor from Grove Street in Whitby.

He wore Victorian dress to mark the occasion and mingled with the crowd who were entertained by The Richmond Pipes and Drum Band.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely marvellous.

“It’s going to be very, very good for the town.

“It’s nice to get it all together again.

“There are people coming from all over the place just to look and to see and to enjoy what we’ve got now.”

Whitby Mayor, Coun Stacey Daniels, said the journey had been a fantastic experience and the new service into Whitby will bring wonderful benefits to the town.

On board, Coun Daniels got to learn about how the development is expected to boost the town’s tourism and the moors railway, which used some of its revenue to restructure the line.

“It’s nice being on a steam train. It takes you back in time,” said Coun Daniels.

“It means more tourism for Whitby and locals will be able to get to Pickering.

“It would be very nice if the line could go on to Malton again.

“The NYMR has so many volunteers who give time willingly with great and popular results.