What's Here & What's On
What's Here
Discover over 300 years of history and over a million wonderful objects. Marvel at the record-breaking Mallard, watch engineering work in progress in the Workshop, see locomotives moving on the turntable, or let off steam in the outdoor play area.
Great Hall
Admire Mallard, the fastest steam locomotive in the world, take a seat on the futuristic Bullet Train, see the replica of Stephenson’s Rocket or step aboard the footplate of the Chinese locomotive, the largest engine in our collection.
Model Railway
Come and explore the model railway located in the Great Hall and witness our model engines whizzing around the tracks from a different perspective!
Station Hall
Experience the luxury of rail travel in days gone by in a nostalgic setting. Visit the Royal Trains, including a carriage used by Queen Victoria herself.
Outdoor Play Area
Search Engine
Warehouse
Outdoor Play Area
Younger visitors will love letting off steam in our railway-themed outdoor play area. Plus, take a ride on the nearby miniature railway to enjoy the scenery. Rides cost 50p.
Search Engine
Our new state of the art library and archive centre offers changing exhibitions, a library, and dedicated research facilities. Bring along your railway questions to be answered by the expert staff in our drop-in centre. Visit our search engine pages.
NRM Talks
The NRM is hosting a special series of Talks and Lectures throughout 2009. Find further details about other Railway related talks.
Warehouse
Explore our open store – home to over 750,000 objects covering every aspect of railway history from dinner services and station signs, to century burger boxes. The Warehouse is also home to the Flying Scotsman Story, a permanent exhibition telling the tale of the nation’s favourite locomotive.
Workshop
Watch engineers at work in our real railway workshop where we maintain and conserve locomotives, carriages and wagons.
The Works
This 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 from the special viewing balcony.
Simulator
Rocket
Workshop
Shake and stir your senses!
Enjoy a thrilling ride on our fabulous Simulator in the Great Hall. Choose from a selection of exciting rides including the London to Brighton in just four minutes! Only £3.00 per person. Last ride at 17.30.
Famous icons
All the items in our collection are important and special, but here are just a few of our biggest, fastest, and world record-breaking objects you might want to see during your visit:
Flying Scotsman
The Museum is home to the nation’s favourite locomotive. She is currently undergoing a full restoration at sites around the country but you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the restoration work in the Workshop. Visit Flying Scotsman pages.
Stephenson’s Rocket
Discover the locomotive that sparked a revolution! All the world’s steam locomotives trace their origins back to Rocket and our replica provides a vivid impression of what this 1829 masterpiece would have looked like and how it would have worked.
Chinese Locomotive
Bullet Train
Royal Trains
Chinese Locomotive
This giant locomotive is the largest in the National Collection. Come along and find out why it is so big and what the Chinese writing inside the cab means.
Japanese Bullet Train/Shinkansen
Climb on board the only Japanese Bullet Train outside Japan. This unique train is part of the world’s fastest passenger rail network.
Royal Trains
Experience the luxury of Victorian travel and the silks, satins and gold of Queen Victoria’s favourite carriage.
Duchess of Hamilton
Discover this stunning 1930’s Art Deco inspired locomotive restored to her original streamlined glory.