A CELEBRATED heritage railway is marking the 50th anniversary since the the infamous cuts closed the popular branch line.

On March 6, 1965, the route between Grosmont and Rillington, near Malton, North Yorkshire, was closed by British Railways under the infamous “Beeching Axe”.

The restructuring of Britain’s railways by Dr Richard Beeching resulted in the closure of 5,000 miles of track and 2,300 stations and was viewed as so severe, the phrase Beeching-style cuts has been used ever since to describe savage restructuring.

Now the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) will mark the closure of the Grosmont route 50 years ago. Since NYMR reopened the line in 1973, it has gone on to become the world’s most popular heritage railway.

The last locomotives to travel the route from Whitby in 1965 still exist and will be brought back to recreate their journey.

Tomorrow (Friday, March 6) - exactly half a century after the official closure date, the two locos 61994 and 62005 will work a special Pullman dining train, which will also mark the completion of a project to rebuild a second platform at Whitby station. The platform will be officially opened by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.

The platform was developed in an initiative with Network Rail and has allowed NYMR to increase its number of trains to Whitby.

Managing director Philip Benham said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of the last half century since Dr Beeching wielded his infamous axe.

“This major award by the Heritage Railway Association is fantastic recognition for the railway, and we are very much looking forward to celebrating all that NYMR has achieved over the years.

“Today we carry almost 350,000 passengers a year, a record not just in this country but around the world. Our many volunteers, staff and partners have proved the potential of this magnificent line.”

Throughout the anniversary weekend there will be a variety of engines from the era when the track closed.

There will also be an exhibition at Pickering Station of photographs taken by a teenager on the day the line closed. The pictures were taken by Maurice Burns, now 68, and an NYMR member. The display will remain at the station until October.

A special service will run on March 14, 15, 21 and 22 on the Esk Valley Line from Whitby, Grosmount and Battersby stations before daily running on the heritage line commences on March 28.

For more information, or tickets visit; www.nymr.co.uk or call 01751-472 508.