Many in Shildon will be aware of Joe Coates and his series of children’s books based on North Bay Railway in Scarborough.

Son of Tommy and Sheila, Joe lived in Temperance Avenue, then Auckland Terrace and later Albert Street.

After leaving the town, Joe became a teacher and on retiring turned his hand to writing and storytelling as a hobby.

Many have been eagerly awaiting Book 6 in the North Bay Tales series, and they don’t need to wait much longer.

The new book is entitled Jake and a Snake at North Bay Railway and features the events at a Family Fun Day at the miniature railway, where a snake makes a notable appearance, or rather disappearance.

Jake and a Snake will be launched during the weekend of May 9th and 10th when Joe will be at North Bay Railway between 12 noon and 4pm, reading the new story and signing books.

In fact, any child bringing a toy snake to North Bay Railway during the book’s launch weekend will be able to travel on the train free, if accompanied by a fare paying adult.

North Bay Railway is the longest miniature railway in England and one of the major attractions in Scarborough.

Passengers travel for almost a mile from near Peasholm Park, past the Open Air Theatre, through the tunnel and along by the sea to Scalby Mills.

There the engine turns on a turntable and the return journey is made.

North Bay Railway also features an historic water chute, water walkers, a boating lake, sky trail, a bistro and Boatman’s Tavern, the smallest pub in Yorkshire.

The miniature railway, as always, features very heavily in the new story.

The series of books are available from the railway’s ticket office and from the author himself.