Last week saw the return of a much-loved annual event for the 51st year.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) hosted their annual Steam Gala.

Following the event, which ended on September 29, the director of mechanical engineering, Paul Middleton said: "With the success of last year’s 50th annual steam gala, we were really excited for this year, determined and ready to make it another year to remember.

"Following the four-day celebration of steam, we can safely say that the event was a huge success.

2393 heads the goods train away from Goathland at Abbots House (Image: John Hunt)

"We had a fantastic line-up of iconic locomotives, including No. 2253 ‘Omaha’ courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway and Peter Best returned to the NYMR as a guest, and we were also joined by No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’, courtesy of the Swanage Railway and owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, and No. 4953 Pitchford Hall, courtesy of Epping Ongar Railway."

Almost 5,000 passengers visited the event, travelling over 1,500 miles on steam-hauled services.

For those that couldn’t attend, there were more than 10,000 hours of watch-time accrued on the NYMR webcams during the Steam Gala - great to see so many people tuning in to spectate virtually.

2392 with the 14.58 Grosmont - Pickering at Moorgates (Image: John Hunt)

A visitor survey carried out during the event highlighted some fantastic feedback including comments such as: "Great to see such a variety of engines. Really enjoyed the break van ride. Always brilliant to see the engines working up the bank to Goathland.

"The whole event was well organised and ran well despite the weather on Thursday.

"The trains were really impressive to see despite the odd delay but in general it was very well organised and our first visit to the real ale set up at Goathland was really impressive."