STEAM reigned supreme when a rail link was restored to the region amid a carnival atmosphere yesterday.

The austere surroundings of Whitby station were lightened by bunting, flags, characters dressed in 19th Century costume, and a pipes and drums band.

It was the resort's warm welcome for the train, heralding the return of a direct link with Pickering, 24 miles away, after 42 years.

By extending its services six miles from its northern terminus at Grosmont, the privately run North York Moors Railway (NYMR) has become the first heritage railway to be allowed to run trains over Network Rail tracks on the Esk Valley line, which connects Whitby with Middlesbrough.

The work of George Stephenson led to the Whitby-Pickering line being opened in 1836. For almost 130 years, trains ran over the moors, linking the resort with the south until most of the line was closed in 1965. Two years later, a preservation society was formed that was to lead to an 18-mile section of the line between Pickering and Grosmont being reopened under NYMR control in 1973.

Early pioneers of the NYMR, and the present management, had long dreamed of restoring the Whitby link. From Friday, regular services to and from Pickering will operate on 105 days a year.

Guests yesterday joined a train, hauled by preserved Class K1 steam engine 62005, to learn how the development is expected to boost Whitby and the NYMR, which uses some of its revenue to maintain structures on the line.

It has been made possible through a passenger licence allowing the NYMR to operate trains crewed by volunteers over part of the Network Rail system, and signalling alterations at Grosmont to make it easier to run services on and off the Esk Valley route.

The NYMR paid for the work with the help of an EU grant.

NYMR trains will share Network Rail space with Northern Rail services.

NYMR manager Philip Benham said: "We believe the new service will not only be an important attraction in its own right, but will help expansion of tourism in both Whitby and the national park. Visitors will also avoid adding to road congestion."

As the Richmond Pipes and Drums Band played the train into Whitby station, town mayor Dr Stacey Daniels said: "It will mean 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. It has really grown over the years.''

Michael Pitts, an original member of the NYMR preservation society, said: "It is 40 years this year since the inaugural meeting and, ever since, the aim has been to get services back into Whitby, so this is a great day. It will give a further boost to the economy of Whitby and if people are looking for something else to do, we hope a trip on the railway will follow.''

The Esk Valley Railway Development Company is a partnership of local authorities, railway companies and the community encouraging more people to use the line.

Development manager Tony Smare said: "More trains going into Whitby will raise the profile of rail travel, and now there will be seven trains a day rather than four. This development can only help the Esk Valley line and the NYMR."