The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has officially opened its new Mutual Improvement Classroom (MIC), which it hopes will help to preserve traditional railway skills and create new opportunities for learning, training and career development.

The Railway claims that this is “the last remaining facility of its kind in the world”. Part of the funding for the project came from the UK government through its Rural England Prosperity Fund, via North Yorkshire Council, with a £350k grant. In addition, Peter Best, a long-standing benefactor of the NYMR, donated £250k.

The new building also includes offices for the Railway’s Motive Power Depot (MPD) and accessible welfare facilities.

The MIC is designed as a dedicated learning environment, and provides a space where people with experience of working on the footplate volunteer their time to pass on their specialist knowledge to volunteers and staff who would like to develop their skills and gain practical experience.

Prior to opening the new building, the Railway hosted learning sessions in a Portakabin classroom for more than 30 years, while the MPD offices and welfare facilities were housed at Grosmont. The accommodation had become cramped and no longer met the needs of the Railway and its workforce.

MIC facilities were set during the Industrial Revolution, enabling railway workers to educate each other by sharing their knowledge. They became less common across the industry during the twentieth century, but the NYMR is preserving the tradition.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is running a busy programme of summer events and already preparing for its Christmas programme.

“As someone who is passionate about both preserving our heritage and securing our future, the opening of the MIC was a particularly special day – it represents the very best of our industry’s culture, and I am incredibly proud that we are continuing that legacy for future generations.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to North Yorkshire Council and Peter Best for their funding support, which has enabled us to create a dedicated space for learning, development, and the sharing of railway knowledge and skills. Their investment will help ensure that this proud tradition of education and professional development continues to inspire future generations.

“Days like today remind me why heritage railways matter. We are custodians of extraordinary history, but we are also innovators, educators, and a community united by passion, skill, and ambition.”

Laura Strangeway, CEO at NYMR