These are exciting times at York’s magnificent National Railway Museum (NRM). Not only is it 50 years old and has now hosted over 40 million visitors, it is also in the final stages of a major £10.5mn renovation programme, a national celebration of the past, present and future of the railways.
Last month saw the re-opening of the Station Hall, which had been closed for the past two years. Based in the former York goods station, this was always a thrilling space with a stunning range of exhibits, most notably of luxury carriages. Now, the visitor experience there is world class, especially for those who love trains – and who doesn’t?
Pride of place goes to an original WH Smith news stand which once stood on Waterloo Station. It is beautifully adorned with period adverts. There is an outstanding range of carriages, locomotives and old station signage to enjoy. A particular favourite of mine is the iconic rail travel posters from the golden age of train travel in the mid 20th century (see main image above).
All photos by Ian Richardson
From luxurious royal carriages to afternoon tea
The carriages really do steal the show, especially Queen Mary’s saloon. And a gorgeous Pullman carriage of the 1970s will bring back happy memories for those lucky enough to have travelled in those oh-so-comfortable seats to London from York, Leeds or Hull.
The catering facilities on offer are splendid: you can even take afternoon tea in a restored carriage, the Countess of York (booking recommended). I made do with a more modest pot of tea and a buttered scone – lovely, though, and very reasonably priced.
The video displays are very evocative, there is a wonderful one of a busy York Station some 70 years ago with a posh-voiced lady announcer directing travellers to trains on routes to places such as Pocklington and Market Weighton, on lines that closed just a few years later. Many visitors will enjoy finding the wreath from Queen Victoria’s funeral train that has been painstakingly restored. The stuffed dog may come as a surprise too!
Treasures of the Great Hall
The Great Hall is currently accessed by a separate entrance. In 2027 the two huge halls will be linked by a new Central Hall, enriching the attraction still further. This is a train lover’s paradise, with locos and carriages from the 200 years of rail history that we are celebrating in 2025.
Favourites of mine are the gorgeous Art Deco style of the Duchess of Hamilton and the iconic Mallard. Others might prefer the more recent Eurostar or the Japanese bullet trains. In and around the hall you can view railway art, model trains, take an immersive Flying Scotsman experience, or even arrange to use the huge NRM archives. The research archive does need to be pre-booked, but it’s a joy to use, and I’ve spent many happy hours in there.
The new Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery is an interactive science-based gallery. It does have a separate entry fee, but will keep the young – and not so young – occupied for hours. The NRM as a whole is a great experience for children, although my three might beg to differ, given how often we used to take them! In addition to the Wonderlab there is a seasonal miniature train ride, and an excellent rail themed play area for children to let off steam.
And for completists…
The North Shed is a veritable Aladdin’s Cave for real rail enthusiasts. Here you will find an incredible range of memorabilia, from station clocks and totems, to etched glass doors and platform signage. Upstairs, there is also an outside viewing gallery where you can watch the day’s trains come and go in York Station.
There is a large shop in the Great Hall (cash or card) and a smaller one in the Station Hall (cashless). The full range of rail-themed gifts is also available on their website.
Incredibly, museum access remains free (donations always very welcome) apart from certain paid attractions, like the Wonderlab. Visitors are advised to book in advance, especially at busy times.
A word too for our neighbours in County Durham, where you will find another exciting NRM venue at Shildon, and I can highly recommend a visit there too.
Access to a global engineering powerhouse
Just a note of caution, until the final phase of renovation is complete in 2027, pedestrian access from York Station or the city can be tricky and is quite long. Visitors may be better off arriving by car or taking the jaunty land train to the entrances. The museum is almost all accessible for those with mobility issues, both the main halls being largely flat and spacious, and there are several accessible toilet facilities. NRM’s website’s dedicated accessibility page is very informative and worth consulting when planning a visit.
NRM’s masterplan states: “We’re on a journey to become a global engineering powerhouse”, and if you have never been, or have not yet seen the renovations, then you are in for a real treat. In the words of the old British Rail advert “This is the age of the train”.
