The National Railway Museum (often shortened to NRM) in York has been open to the public since 1975, and now has become one of the largest and richest collections of railway related material in the world. It has won many awards including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001.
NRM ... Read review
The National Railway Museum Diary 2010 features nostalgic images from the golden age of ... more
foreign travel. Cruises to the West Indies, jaunts across the Channel to the continent, the first commercial air flights - the colour posters and black-and-white images conjure up the nostalgia of holidays taken in days gone by. The emphasis is on travel beyond the British Isles - to the far flung corners of the British Empire.
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Advantages: free entrance, fantastic collection of railway related memorabilia. Disadvantages: none that I could see.
The National Railway Museum (often shortened to NRM) in York has been open to the public since 1975, and now has become one of the largest and richest collections of railway related material in the world. It has won many awards including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001.
NRM is located in Leeman Road, next to York railway station. There are three main areas open to visitors: Great Hall, Station Hall and Outdoor Play Area. ... ...is the largest in the National Collection. The engine was made in Britain and was used in China. Now it has sailed around half of the globe to be back in the country where it was built. I was delighted to be able to see a display from China, in particular when I read the Chinese writing inside the cab.
Snapshot 6: Japanese Bullet Train (as known as Shinkansen)
It is the only Japanese Bullet Train outside Japan and it ... more
The National Railway Museum (often shortened to NRM) in York has been open to the public since 1975, and now has become one of the largest and richest collections of railway related material in the world. It has won many awards including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001.
NRM is located in Leeman Road, next to York railway station. There are three main areas open to visitors: Great Hall, Station Hall and Outdoor Play Area. Historically the Great Hall was York’s North Motive Power Depot (an engine shed) which originally had 4 locomotive turntables. Station Hall was the main goods (freight) transhipment station for York and the Works was the York Diesel Locomotive Depot until 1986. Today mainly in the Station Hall there are displays about the historical development of the railway industry and British locomotives. In the Great Hall there is a collection of locomotives from around the globe as well as other items related to worldwide railway history.
The NRM is huge and it has so much to see. An ordinary visitor could easily spend 4 hours there, and a railway enthusiast could use up more than a day. Although I’m not a train fan, I still felt excited by what I saw there. From my visit of NRM in October 2009 I have to say the British people do know how to display their history, and the UK still plays a very important role in the railway industry around the world.
When I write this article and look at pictures I took during my trip many fragments of memory flash through my mind like snapshots. So now I would like to share with you 10 of these snapshots.
Snapshot 1: Turntable show
There is a big turntable in the Great Hall. Every day at 11am two staff will work the turntable and explain to audiences how they change the direction of a locomotive. It was the first time ever in my life to see the procedure, and it was completely different from what I imagined. The show is short, but easy to understand, and you really have to see it to believe it is possible to turn around a locomotive.
Snapshot 2: Gladstone engine
It is displayed in a corner of the Great Hall, next to the turntable. I came across it by accident after watching the turntable show. When I read the information panel I realized this engine has a special meaning in history.
It was built at Brighton in 1882 and named after the then Prime Minister William Gladstone. It’s the only surviving British front-coupled express passenger locomotive and is notable for being the first locomotive to be preserved by a railway society.
Snapshot 3: Ellerman Lines
How does a steam locomotive work? To many people it would be a very complicated question; however NRM made it easier for you to understand. They cut a cross-section, longitudinally through an engine named Ellerman Lines. Thus you can see into the three parts of the locomotive: i.e. tender, footplate and firebox. If you are patient enough and follow the introduction numbers bit by bit you will find out what does what. When I finally had worked my way from the tender to front end of the firebox I almost considered myself as a qualified engineer.
Snapshot 4: Cast Iron Footbridge
Historically over 50 cast iron footbridges were used to connect adjacent platforms of ordinary double track stations in the North Eastern Railway region, the first being built in 1891. Today several of the bridges are still in regular use. The bridge on display at NRM came from Percy Main station and is set amongst the engines in the Great Hall. When I walked up the steps I felt I was about to commence a journey, but I was so happy the feeling was more like I just came back home.
Snapshot 5: Chinese Locomotive
This giant locomotive is the largest in the National Collection. The engine was made in Britain and was used in China. Now it has sailed around half of the globe to be back in the country where it was built. I was delighted to be able to see a display from China, in particular when I read the Chinese writing inside the cab.
Snapshot 6: Japanese Bullet Train (as known as Shinkansen)
It is the only Japanese Bullet Train outside Japan and it represents one part of the world’s fastest passenger rail network. It was donated to the museum in 2001 by the West Japan Railway Company. The fascinating thing is that you can climb aboard and sit down to watch TV footage about the use of these trains in Japan. At the time I felt I was on a trip going somewhere in Japan and the train was flying fast.
Snapshot 7: The Duke of Sutherland’s Saloon
It was unusual to have a private saloon on a train in late 19th century. However as a main owner of London and North Western Railway, the Duke of Sutherland owned such a saloon. The carriage displayed in a corner of Station Hall was built at Wolverton for his personal use. One picture on the information panel shows the Duke of Sutherland and Edward VII. Coming from a different culture it’s interesting to see how ‘money could talk’.
Snapshot 8: Palaces on Wheels
This section occupies a large area of Station Hall. It displays Royal Carriages, which once belonged to Queen Victoria, Queen Mary, King Edward V and the present British Queen.
Walk along the red carpet and listen to voice explanations above your head whilst you view the comfortable and luxurious lives that such people lived as they travelled about the UK. When I saw these carriages, which were fully furnished with wardrobes, beds and full bathrooms I thought I was in a mini house instead of a railway museum.
Snapshot 9: Railway collecting dog Laddie
Between the end of 19th century and middle of the 20th century railway collecting dogs were familiar sights at large stations around the country. Laddie was one of these dogs and during his 7 years of work collected over £5000. The amazing thing was after he died in 1960 he was stuffed and returned to Wimbledon Station to continue his collecting career until 1990 when he became part of the NRM collection.
Snapshot 10: Workshop
The Workshop is located on the first floor of the Great Hall. Here you can search for almost any information connected with railways using their computers as well as their extensive library.
There is a very impressive exhibition at the entrance of the Workshop. It shows that since 1828 Britain has exported engineers, workmen, money, carriages, locomotives, wagons, signalling equipment and everything else you need to build and run a railway. So far Britain has laid enough rails to circle the globe twice. It has exported over 45000 locomotives and still earns millions from railway exports. I was surprised with what I read as I know these days that Japan and Germany are the leaders of railway development.
These 10 snapshots were the principal features I recall from my four hours stay there. I know there are still many things I did not see. I’m referring to activities such as: the Flying Scotsman display, taking a ride on the miniature railway in the Outdoor Play Area or a visit to The Works where an interactive gallery offers a live link to York station’s electronic signal box and the chance to catch a glimpse of trains on the real railway. I left the museum telling myself I must visit NRM again one day.
Last but not least don’t be surprised when I tell you NRM is FREE! The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (except Christmas day). You can also find a locker to store your personal items while you enjoy your visit. When you feel tired you can always find a seat to take a break on this spacious site. By the way there is a restaurant in the Station Hall and a café in the Great Hall too.
Summary: The National Railway Museum is definitely worth your visit.
PS. Welcome to visit my blog for more pictures. http://blossom-iwanttoseetheworld.blogspot.com
Advantages: Lots of see, free Disadvantages: Very popular so there are big queues for some things
The National Railway Museum in York first opened its doors to the public in 1975 and although I was too young to remember, around five or six years old at the time, I think that I was quite possibly one of the first visitors to see this attraction. I do vaguely recall visiting here all of those years ago but my memory is very sketchy. I remember that my grandparents had saved up tokens from Kellogg's cereal packages that entitled us to free rail ... ...week I returned to the National Railway Museum for a second time. I would love to tell you how it has it has changed over the years but alas I cannot, so instead I will just tell you about how it is today, as per my recent visit of Wednesday 2nd April 2008.
If I was a train enthusiast then there is no doubt that I would have been in seventh heaven here, but I am not. My main reasons for visiting here was firstly because it is free and since it was ...
micksheff 06.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of National Railway Museum, York
Advantages: Lot's to see, Interaction, Great education for the kids, free entry Disadvantages: Expensive parking
...-History-
Back in 1975, the National Railway Museum took over the British Railways collection which had previously been housed in the museum of British transport in Clapham and at the York railway museum. So the National Railway Museum was born and over the years it has turned into a huge attraction for all the family.
-Location-
It is quite easy to find the museum as its literally round the corner from York railway station. If you are travelling ... ...number aswell if you want to book one of the wheelchairs available.
So I'd definately recommend a visit to the National Railway Museum. It's a great day out for the whole family and there is so much interaction involved, it's a great learning exercise for the children. ...
bifbails 29.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of National Railway Museum, York
Advantages: Its free Disadvantages: Exhibitions cost to get into
The National Railway Museum in York is completely free and is easily accessible due to the large number of bus routes around york. It is situated very close to the railway station and is completely free. It features a large number of trains from the past and present from the legendary Mallard to the Japanese Bullet Train. The is also a piece of the channel tunnel there. The is loads of information on the trains and has many different halls in which ... ...the picture, where there is also a turn table, something that I've never see before. There are also rooms dedicated to model railways and there are plenty of interactive computers to keep you interested. From time to time there are exhibits but these cost money to get into and aren't always that good. Recently the Yorkshire Wheel was placed on the grounds of the museum and although it costs money, its definately worth a go because the view of the ...
lightningwinger 21.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of National Railway Museum, York
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Quick review of National Railway Museum, York
A damp, cold shed with trains that you are not allowed to touch, let alone climb on and look around. Very disappointing! ...
Emma_Farley 18.12.2008
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Advantages: Great day out Disadvantages: None for me - building work going on
So on with the anorak and out with the note book, a visit to the NationalRailwayMuseum (NRM) is on today.
I went on a bright and sunny Monday in mid March
*** What is it? ***
The NRM is the largest collection of railway artefacts in the World, covering some 300 years of railway history. From full size locomotives to stationmaster's hats, it is all here. There are lots of things to do, from wandering round gazing at massive locomotives, to getting hands on with various interactive displays.
The NRM is located right next door to York station, in the old engine sheds and goods yard.
*** How Do You Get There? ***
I was staying in Yorkshire on Holiday, so I took the train from the local station (Malton £6.40 return) directly into York, the NRM is a 5 or 10 minute walk away (you do have a number of stairs to climb ...
Advantages: good for all the family, free entry, easy to get too, Disadvantages: none
december the first time i had been here and if was free it never used to be everyone had to pay the cost of £22.50 to get in but they have changed there polices know so that we can all go in for absultly free.
i couldnt believe my eyes kids everywere from schools and parents and grandparents what had brought the children it was just out off this word to this all the trains as the place is massive you would have to go to this place for the day as you wouldnt go round it all other wise.
dont forget to take a good pair of walking shoes as i took some of mine and even my feet was sore after walking round the place
To get to the museum it is just a ten minute walk from the train station but there is plent of car parking spaces if you are traveling by car.
there is plenty to do as there is an interactive play area for children ...
Advantages: From Rocket to Bullet - with a burger in between Disadvantages: Overpriced restaurant
the museum was handy for that other mecca of the railway nerd - Clapham Junction - and less than an hour's ride from our home.
Fast forward 30 years or so. I'm living in Yorkshire and the trains from the transport museum are still less than an hour's drive from my home. But now they're at the NationalRailwayMuseum (NRM) in York. There's plenty to see in that great city, but the NRM is one of its greatest assets.
THE DIRECTIONS
The museum is just outside the city walls, about 10 minutes' walk from the station. It?s signposted (if rather erratically) from most parts of the city. If you keep the station to your left, you won't go wrong. The museum's two large buildings sit either side of the rather grim Leeman Road, linked by an underpass. Its own car park (flat charge of £4.50) is right next door. There's another car park on the other side ...