In this programme of the Northern Skies series, we follow the history of the railways in the region, taking in famous places and landmarks including York and the National Railway Museum, Eden Camp Museum near Malton, Castle Howard, Flamingo Land The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Levisham Station, Skelton Tower and Roseberry Topping General aerial views of north east locations and landmarks follow with a commentary introducing the programme. Title: Northern Skies – The Railway An aerial...

In this programme of the Northern Skies series, we follow the history of the railways in the region, taking in famous places and landmarks including York and the National Railway Museum, Eden Camp Museum near Malton, Castle Howard, Flamingo Land The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Levisham Station, Skelton Tower and Roseberry Topping General aerial views of north east locations and landmarks follow with a commentary introducing the programme. Title: Northern Skies – The Railway An aerial view of the city of York opens the programme followed by closer views of the famous minster. Clifford’s Tower, a remnant of the old castle is closely observed. A view shows its position between two rivers which meet in York, the Ouse and the Foss. The railway station and the nearby National Railway Museum follow next as the commentary points out the railway hotel nearby and that at one time York station was the biggest in the world. Large numbers of people were employed at the railway carriage works close by. A steam train, the Scarborough Spa express, heads north out of the city and the engine pulling it is the famous Flying Scotsman. A travelling view at the front of the engine follows. An aerial view follows of the train’s first stop at Kirkham Priory, once a training ground for those involved in the D-Day landing. A low flight over fields shows cattle grazing followed by a view of the imposing structure of Castle Howard. The film shows closer views of the structure and ornate decoration of this landmark building in its parkland setting. The commentary states it took 100 years to build and the Howard family have lived there for three centuries. The television drama Brideshead Revisited was filmed there. The view passes over three lakes all at different levels, and approaches the house, showing a larger lake in the background. A close view of the Flying Scotsman as it steams on its way at speed, taking a long curve at the base of a hill. A view follows of the war-time open museum at Eden Camp, based at an old prisoner of war camp. The film shows many of the old prison huts that have been restored. The programme leaves the York to Scarborough railway and shows a smaller commuter train heading towards Malton. The view shows the church and market square surrounded by picturesque houses and business premises. The film shows old cuttings where railways used to serve this part of Yorkshire at places such as Rillington and Marishes Road both railway stations on the York and North Midland Railway. A faint image on a farm’s crop field reveals where the railway used to run. More views show farm machines working the rich arable land found in the Vale of Pickering. An aerial view of the popular annual Pickering traction engine rally and fair follows. Some general views of locations which feature in part two of the programme follow. Title: Northern Skies – End of Part One Title: Northern Skies – Part Two A view over moorland and dark grey cloud and a deluge in the distance. Th film travels over green crop fields then cuts to the sound and sights of breath-taking fairground rides at the huge fair at Flamingo Land at Kirby Misperton. This is followed by an aerial view of Pickering closing in on the ruins of Pickering Castle. Closer views show turrets an other parts of the building now owned by English Heritage. Views follow of Pickering’s streets, followed by Pickering station, home of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The commentary says it the most of popular of the heritage railways in Britain, carrying 3 million passengers each year. The film shows the line that will take passengers to Grosmont in Eskdale in the North York Moors National Park. A trackside view shows a steam passenger train passing grassland and shrubbery as it heads north to Grosmont. Aerial views show the trains travelling through Newtondale to stop at Levisham station. The choice of location for the station was made by the vicar as the vicarage is nearby. However, the vicar was also lord of the manor. The film skims across an open area of woodland towards another building built by the vicar, Skelton Tower. Described by the commentator as a hunting lodge and a place to write sermons. The building is now a ruin, but it attracts tourists and walkers as there is a fine view from its location. A view of the Hole of Horcum is next a bowl like structure formed by ice age glaciers, 400 feet deep and three quarters of a mile across. A more modern feature nearby is the Fylingdales early warning station. The golf ball-like structures which defined the location have gone to be replaced by a single structure nicknamed the pyramid. A view of the train follows as it continues on its way to stop at Goathland station. A location used for television series such as ‘Heartbeat’ and it also made an appearance in one of the popular Harry Potter films. The village attracts tourists who want to see the Heartbeat locations such as the local garage and the hotel which are given different names. Views show busy station platforms as passengers get off or on the train. A different train appears, headed by the famous streamlined Sir Nigel Gresley engine recently restored and pulling very well-appointed luxurious carriages from the 1930’s. The next location is the destination Grosmont, nestling amongst hills and trees. Here the railway has workshops, a general view follows of the extensive workshops just outside the village. At the station passengers and sightseers gather. On this occasion the line now has permission to run its train to Whitby on the coast, the Sir Nigel Gresley waits to depart. The film then follows the Esk Valley line which reaches up to industrial Teesside. The film follows it through the picturesque Esk Valley and its villages, with spectacular views on the way. Roseberry Topping appears in the distance a well-known local landmark. The film shows the flat side of the hill top with its exposed rock which was due to a landslip caused by ironstone mining. It’s a big attraction for residents and visitors. The white triangulation point stands out on the sandstone rock, and the views from this point are spectacular. Great Ayton is not far from Rosebery Topping and is the boyhood home of Captain Cook. The film shows the obelisk commemorating the voyager on Easby moor overlooking Great Ayton. A closer view of Roseberry Topping ends the film. Credits: Aerial Photography - John Anderson Helicopter Pilots – Simon Edwards - Steve Cobb Aerial Facilities – Heli-Jet Aviation Narrated by – Roger Greenwood Written by – Ken Cooper Production Manager – Sally Cieslik Production Co-ordinator – Anna Payne Online Editor – Andrew Dobson Research – Brenda May itv.com Executive Producer – Clare Morrow Production – Patrick Hargreaves – Roger Keech – Mike Murray © BNT Productions 2007 BNT BNT Productions for ITV