For the last 30 years or more, the dying art of skills which were taught during the Industrial Revolution, have been kept alive in a cramped portable cabin in Grosmont.
But now, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has created a dedicated space – the last remaining facility of its kind in the world – to make sure this engineering knowledge and skill, which had captured the passion and imagination of steam enthusiasts in all corners of the globe, is passed on to future generations.
NYMR has officially opened its new Mutual Improvement Classroom (MIC) to preserve traditional railway skills and create new opportunities for learning, training, and career development. The new building also includes Motive Power Depot (MPD) offices and accessible welfare facilities.
The MIC, a project costing more than half a million pounds, has been designed as a dedicated learning environment, where experienced footplate crews volunteer their time to pass on specialist knowledge to volunteers and staff looking to develop their skills, gain practical experience and increase opportunities.
This project has been part-funded by the UK government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, via North Yorkshire Council, with a £350,000 grant, alongside a £250,000 donation from Peter Best, a long-standing benefactor of the NYMR.
Laura Strangeway, CEO at NYMR, said: “As someone who is passionate about both preserving our heritage and securing our future, the opening of the MIC was a particularly special day – it represents the very best of our industry’s culture, and I am incredibly proud that we are continuing that legacy for future generations.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to North Yorkshire Council and Peter Best for their funding support, which has enabled us to create a dedicated space for learning, development, and the sharing of railway knowledge and skills. Their investment will help ensure that this proud tradition of education and professional development continues to inspire future generations.
“The opening day reminded me why heritage railways matter. We are custodians of extraordinary history, but we are also innovators, educators, and a community united by passion, skill, and ambition.”
MIC facilities were first established during the Industrial Revolution and allowed railway workers to educate one another by sharing technical knowledge, pooling resources, and teaching practical skills.
While these societies gradually disappeared across the industry during the 20th century, the NYMR preserved the tradition, making its new facility the last remaining MIC of its kind in the world.
