HRH the Duke of Gloucester officially marked the successful completion of the restoration on Tuesday 4 October, by touring the new facilities and unveiling a plaque.

The station project, called 'Train of Thought,' was supported by just under £1million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). It has included a new learning centre, which also houses the archives, a visitor centre and the major award-winning construction of the re-instated roof  of Pickering Station.

The Duke arrived by train into Pickering Station at 11am with The Deputy Lord Lieutenant Commodore Paul Sutermeister, Chairman of the Trust, Murray Brown and NYMR General Manager Philip Benham and was welcomed by a reception of dignitaries.

The royal guest was then invited to tour the newly built Reussner Learning centre, home of the railway’s historical archives and centre of education activities, the recently completed visitor centre and the picnic area on platform two. 

Finally, the Duke unveiled a ceremonial plaque marking the completion of the station’s renovations.

The visiting dignitaries included The High Sheriff, Alexandra Holford; Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council Councillor, John Fort; Ryedale Council Chairman, Councillor Steve Arnold; Pickering Town Council Mayor, Councillor Joan Lovejoy; Ken Wyatt, Committee Member for Heritage Lottery Fund Yorskhire and the Humber; Chairman of North Yorkshire Moors Railway Enterprises Plc, Neal Clarke; Company Secretary of North York Moors Historical Railway Trust Ltd and restoration co-ordinator Bryan Draper.