Dan Rutstein and friends pay a visit to one of the only rail networks in England that runs like clockwork.

THE magic and excitement of steam trains never wanes, however old you get. We heard it before we saw it. That Ivor the Engine sound from our childhoods as the steam pushes out from atop a huge railway engine.

It pulled round the corner to the cheers of kids, smiles of enthusiasts and in most cases, tears from babies.

Pickering is as lovely a market town as you could wish for to begin your epic steam journey across the North York Moors.

The old world station provides the ideal setting, with its little souvenir shops and tea rooms.

But, unlike pretty much every other train service in the country, your waiting time at the station is short - trains are frequent and invariably on time.

The enormous presence of the powerful and smelly steam engine on the station sends the adrenaline coursing round your body.

It is hard to describe but the sight of the steam engine brings out the mummy-I-want-to-be-a-train driver in all of us.

To complement the magnificent engines, the carriages are well maintained and comfortable.

It seems that along the length of the train every section is different, with a new lay-out or type of upholstery used in each.

Get yourself a seat, ideally by the window, and prepare to watch the natural beauty of North Yorkshire.

Despite the foot and mouth outbreak that has ravaged the nation, there are animals aplenty on show out of the windows including some rather strange bison-type beasts (and I mean beasts) hanging around near Levisham station.

Although the views are impressive, apart from a little smoke, it is difficult to tell you are on a steam train. The full majesty of the vehicle can best be viewed from elsewhere - take advantage of this when you get off at any of the stops and look around for the trains steaming through the countryside.

The highlight and, therefore, main stopping-off point for many is Goathland, known to many TV viewers as Aidensfield, where the police drama Heartbeat is filmed.

A post office, souvenir shop and the pub used for filming all pull in the punters.

If you are not a Heartbeat fan, as myself and my travelling companions were most certainly not, there is still much to do.

There are other pubs and tea-rooms in which to relax, taking in the rolling countryside and the comic antics of the village sheep.

And there is the fantastic Mallyan Spout. It is a little walk down a (usually) muddy path but the waterfall is a sight worth dirtying your shoes for.

The dense woods make this little waterfall a hidden treat.

Dappled light squeezes its way through and the whole scene is tranquil and exciting.

Worth a visit.

In fact most of the rural activities along the route are worth stopping off at, and the fun of the railway itself makes the North York Moors Railway one of the area's top days out.

Fact file:

To reach the North York Moors Railway, take the A64 for Pickering and follow signs.

For more information, ring: 01751 472508

Call the talking timetable on: 01751 473535

There is ample car parking space at the station.