What's Here & What's On
What's On 2008
All events are FREE unless stated otherwise.
For further information please telephone 0844 815 3139
We also have a daily programme of talks and demonstrations
March - December 2008
China 2008
Join us to celebrate Chinese culture throughout 2008. Our action-packed programme of events includes cab access to the Chinese Locomotive – one of only three of its kind in Europe – from 2 May.
Visitors can also enjoy a special exhibition of photographs ‘China: The Last Days of Steam’ by renowned railway photographer, Michael Rhodes, exploring how railways have influenced landscape and lives of people living beside them in China. The exhibition is open now until 31 August. Plus, don’t miss our special Chinese themed children’s activities and web exhibition.
More information on China 2008
June - August 2008
TA100 Exhibition
The National Railway Museum (NRM) is celebrating a century since the Territorial Army (TA) was formed with the opening of a new exhibition. Colourful storyboards tell the tale of the 1908 formation of the organisation and profile some of today’s part-time soldiers, many of which are employees of rail engineering companies.
The new exhibition, situated in the museum’s Station Hall until August, focuses on the origins of the TA’s railway units which it has maintained since its birth 100 years ago. Today, the TA still maintains the 275 Railway Troop which operates railways, and 507 Specialist Team Royal Engineers which designs and builds railway infrastructure. When the TA was formed in 1908 it included three railway units. The new units ran the supply trains the army needed and kept the rail network repaired. The experiences of the First World War led to a further nine units being formed. They became specialised in railway construction, operation, signalling and locomotive repair.
23 June - November 2008, Search Engine Display area
Case Studies
Within Search Engine, a new £4 million project making the wealth of the archives of the National Railway Museum accessible to the nation, will be showing a new exhibition: Case Studies. Using items from the archive a number of glass cases will showcase the diversity of the history of the railways.
Items which will feature in the Case Studies exhibition include a study of the railway police, a gold bullion box from the first train robbery in 1855, reactions to the Channel Tunnel and Spottings and Jottings - an examination of railway photography. The exhibition will also be host to a case celebrating Richard Trevithick, one of the pioneers of the locomotive. Three of his models will be on display. These have never been displayed together before and will provide visitors with a unique and exciting opportunity to explore the story of a railway pioneer
18 July - 23 August 2008
Railway Children
Enjoy a professional theatre production of the fabulous Railway Children - one of the best-loved books of all time.
Roberta, Peter and Phyllis have a wonderful life in London, but when two strange men appear and their father is called away, everything changes.
Life in the country, by the railway, is a whole new world for the children and their mother. New friendships, adventures and terrifying dangers await. But the mystery remains - where is father, and is he ever coming back?
The NRM is working in partnership with York Theatre Royal to stage this breathtaking spectacular, based upon a new adaptation by nationally known children's playwright, Mike Kenny. The production will be staged at the NRM on a real rail-track and features a stunning appearance by a genuine steam engine.
Mike Kenny is one of the UK's most prolific and popular playwrights for children and their families.
Ticket Prices
- Adults £15
- Concessions, students and u25s £10
- Family 4 Ticket £40 (must include at least 1 adult & 1 child)
- Group discounts available
Show times include 11am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 7pm. Please check York Theatre Royal listings for individual show times as not all times are available each day, there will be no performances on the 21st and 28th of July and the 4th, 11th and 17th of August.
To book, please telephone the York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or visit yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
First TransPennine Express, which offers fast, frequent train services in northern England and Scotland, is proud to be the sponsor of The Railway Children production. Buy your train tickets online at www.tpexpress.co.uk
Building the set of the Railway Children
1 August 2008
Yorkshire Day
Celebrate Yorkshire Day with the NRM, events running from Monday 28 - Sunday 3 August. Come and ride the Yorkshire Wheel, kindly supported by Yorkshire Tea, and see if you can spot a giant Yorkshire Tea tea pot on York’s skyline to win a hamper of goodies! There will also be a children’s teapot colouring competition and on Friday 1 August ;the first 100 visitors to the wheel will receive a free goody bag including a Yorkshire Tea sample pack.
1 August onwards
Making Tracks: Railways and the Art of New Model Army
New Model Army is a rock band with a world-wide fan base. During 30 years of recording and touring the travel experiences of the band have inspired many of their songs. In this exhibition the band members talk about traveling by train: the places they have been, the view from the windows and the people they have met.
This exhibition brings together the most famous New Model Army images from the earliest poster to the most recent release and sets them alongside the travel experiences which have inspired some of the band’s legendary music.
2009 (date tbc)
Duchess of Hamilton Exhibition
The Duchess of Hamilton exhibition opening has been delayed due to a worldwide shortage of steel to complete the restoration process. The exhibition will now launch in 2009 - please keep your eye on this page for further announcements.
Come and see the iconic Duchess of Hamilton locomotive restored to her original streamlined form. The locomotive is a stunning piece of Art Deco opulence. Built in 1938, she made a bold statement as a modern machine for a modern age and she flew the flag for Britain in America where crowds gawped in amazement at her sleek lines and fashionable carriages.
Her livery was changed to black when she returned to a war-torn Britain but she has now been fully restored to her former glory. She will take pride of place in this new exhibition exploring the 1930s and links between fashion, engineering, design and the steam age.