A SPECIAL historic train service is to travel over a North York Moors Railway Bridge for a final time before it is replaced.

The North York Moors Railway uses a 145-year-old bridge which spans a tributary of the River Esk on the Goathland and Grosmont line.

Time has caught up with the bridge and it is to be replaced in a £650,000 project over the winter months.

To mark the final journey over the bridge the railway is to run a special bridge benefit train pulled by the steam engine Sir Nigel Gresley.

The train will depart Grosmont at 3.30pm on Sunday, November 1, with normal fees to those travelling Grosmont to Pickering.

A £3 surcharge of top of normal fares will be charged for a round trip and it will got the railways Bridge and Wheels Appeal.

As part of what has been dubbed Wizard Weekend the railway has laid on a birds of prey show at Levisham Station.

While at Goathland a magic show will take place while balloon modelling, face painting and magic tricks will be at Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont stations.

The Jet Set Border Morris dancers, dressed Goth-style, all in black, will perform at Goathland and Grosmont stations.

Philip Benham, the railway’s general manager, said: "What we're looking to do is to recreate the atmosphere of the last trains that were so common in the Beeching era.

"The difference this time, of course, is that the line will re-open again in March next year.

"We're ushering out a bridge that has served the Railway well, in readiness for a new structure of some significance to replace it."

Reservations can be made by phoning 01751 472508 or by email to info@nymr.co.uk following which a commemorative ticket will be issued.