Green Arrow prepares for final journey

11:59pm Thursday 24th April 2008

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THE green light has been given to a last-minute reprieve for one of Britain's most iconic railway engines.

The Green Arrow will make its final journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR)on Saturday.

"We are delighted to be able to offer the public a last chance ride, especially after the disappointment of the mechanical failure three weeks ago

Philip Benham, NYMR general manager

The service will depart Pickering at noon and travel through Levisham, Newtondale Halt, and Goathland, arriving at Grosmont shortly after 1pm.

It will depart Grosmont at 1.30pm and arrive back into Pickering at 2pm.

It was widely known that Green Arrow was seeing out its last few weeks of operation on the railway, prior to going on public display at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham.

Three weeks ago, operation of the engine had to be suspended, following a full mechanical examination which revealed that two super heater flues were cracked.

At that time, and with less than a month remaining before the expiration of historic locomotive's boiler certificate, it was considered not feasible to embark on a repair programme because it would take in excess of eight weeks.

Philip Benham, NYMR general manager, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer the public a last chance ride, especially after the disappointment of the mechanical failure three weeks ago.

"I am most grateful to our engineers for their endeavours to make this possible."

The Green Arrow was designed and built in the 1930s, as a mixed traffic engine, capable of hauling passenger coaches but equally comfortable hauling heavy freight.

Tickets are now available, priced at £25 per head, for a return journey with 80 seats available on a first come, first served basis.

To purchase tickets, call 01751-472508.