RAILWAY enthusiasts savoured a moment in history when coaches from the Wensleydale Railway took to the main line when they went for specialist maintenance.

The coaches pulled by a green class 47 engine were caught on camera at platform 11 on York station. In the past the coaches would have gone by road but the railway was determined to keep them on the rails.

Manager Nigel park said: "The coaches were being taken to Doncaster for some specialist maintenance work on the wheels. Although in regular use on the Wensleydale Heritage line at a maximum speed of 25 mph, for the first time in 30 years these yesteryear carriages stopped at York station having travelled at their former operating speeds of 75 mph on the East Coast main line. It was a moment in history.”

The new season for the heritage line is kicking off with train services at weekends, and at Easter Aysgarth station will be open to visitors. For information, visit wensleydalerail.com