IT should have been one of the most auspicious days in the stirring story of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Exactly 40 years after British Rail closed down the line on which it operates, it was re-coupled with Whitby.

Headed by a steam loco greased and polished to near-pristine perfection by the dedicated staff and volunteers of the NYMR, special trains last weekend attracted crowds to witness what was, effectively, the rebirth of the Whitby-Pickering Railway. Each train was boarded by around 300 enthusiasts, eager to enjoy the historic through journey.

But one trip proved historic for a deplorable reason. On to the track swarmed foxhunters. Not out for the day with hounds, as they are still entitled to be - and even to flush-out and kill a fox. Their shameful purpose was to stop the train.

One supporter lay down on the track. Another, mounted on his horse and positioned between the rails, presented the very picture of a latter day Dick Turpin. Further riders flanked the train-like bandits.

It was reckless. It was irresponsible. It was alarming. But worse, much worse, it showed no thought for the passengers, who had paid good money for their trip. All had been looking forward to it, and many had travelled some distance to share in the occasion.

When the contemptible stunt was being planned, by the Derwent, Sinnington, Glaisdale, and Saltersgate Farmers' hunts, did no-one say: "Hang on a minute. Are we really prepared to spoil the day for these rail fans, who have nothing to do with hunting?" It seems not.

All that mattered to the foxhunters was their own sport. Their chance to make a high profile protest to local MP Lawrie Quinn, the NYMR's vice-president, overrode any consideration for other citizens.

If I were Mr Quinn, even if I was no more than lukewarm about the foxhunting ban, the hunters' arrogant disruption of the NYMR's celebratory day would implant a resolve to make sure the hunting ban sticks. The hunters seem incapable of recognising that hunting has been banned on a vote of conscience by our elected MPs, confirming numerous earlier, similar votes. What they present as the ramrodding of the ban through the Lords was simply the operation of due process to prevent the unelected Lords frustrating the democratic will.

Astonishingly, the police, called to the train ambush by anxious passengers, made no arrest. An officer said: "Fortunately everything passed off without too much incident. It was a peaceful protest, and these people, like anyone else, have the right to have their views heard, as long as it is in a law-abiding manner."

I wonder if that view would be taken if I held up a train on the Esk Valley line, sister railway of the NYMR, by standing on the track, bearing a placard demanding: "Prosecute Hunt Rail Sabs". Fortunately, I have this column to make the same call. As a group, foxhunters, who have lost their sport simply through time moving on, have my sympathy. But those who show themselves to be self-centred boors, willing to wreck the pleasure and hard work of others in pursuit of a cause properly - by which I mean fairly - consigned to history, deserve whatever pain of loss is coming to them.

AHAPPIER country note: The sight of lambs in the snow near Stokesley put me in mind of Philip Larkin's wonderful words on snow-born lambs: They could not grasp it if they knew,/What so soon will wake and grow/Utterly unlike the snow.