Railfest 2012
Get fired up at Britain's biggest rail celebration
Tickets | Vehicles | How to get here | Take part | Groups | Special events | Latest news
Tickets are now on sale for Britain's biggest rail celebration, with 9 exhilarating days of amazing activities for all ages†. Experience a grand gathering of over 30 record breaking locomotives from the past and present including Flying Scotsman, City of Truro, Tornado, locos from the modern industry and many more. Download the Railfest leaflet
Climb inside drivers' cabs, stand on the footplates and ride on trains big and small. Get up close to the fastest, strongest, smallest and newest locos, and catch rarely-seen railway giants like snow ploughs, leaf blowers and even a sail-powered railway vehicle. Plus chill out in the rail-themed under-6s area, browse the trade stands and check out the latest trains on the tracks.
Your day ticket gives you unlimited access to our daily programme including:
- Steam and diesel train rides of all sizes
- Vehicle access
- Live theatre performances
- Trade stands with shopping opportunities
- Under 6s area
- Vehicle demonstrations
- Steam model layout
Full event programme coming soon: keep up to date with our latest Railfest news and event programme by signing up to our newsletter
If you're booking a group visit, don't buy online because you won't get the special offer: call 0870 870 4840 instead.
Tickets
You can buy daytime tickets for the main event, as well as special tickets for evening and photography events. We are expecting a high demand for tickets for all events and advance booking is recommended.
Day ticket: A daytime pass to the main Railfest event with cab access, rides and more. The daytime event runs from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily with rides running from 10am to 5pm.
Photo event ticket: Get up-close snaps at these special photo events. Entry is limited to 400, so you’ll avoid the hustle and bustle of the daytime event. More info
Evening ticket: Enjoy the awe-inspiring sights of Britain’s biggest rail celebration after hours. More info
Group ticket offer: The group organiser goes free with groups of 15 or more. More info
| Ticket | Book online* | Book by phone** | On the day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | £13 | £13** | £15 |
| Child (2 - 15 yrs. Under-2s go free) | £8 | £8** | £10 |
| 2 adults + 2 children | £35 | £35** | £40 |
| 2 adults + 1 children | £30 | £30** | £34 |
| 1 adult + 2 children | £25 | £25** | £28 |
| Evening (8 or 9 June) more info | £13 | £13** | £15 |
| Daytime + Evening (8 or 9 June) - phone only | -- | £23** | £25 |
| Photo event (4 or 5 June) more info | £50 | £50** | £50 |
If you're booking a group visit, don't buy online because you won't get the special offer: call 0870 870 4840 instead.
* You will need access to a printer to book online. Online sales end at midnight on 29 May 2012
** Book by phone on 0870 870 4840. A £1.50 booking fee will be added to your total order. Phone sales end at 6pm on 22 May 2012
Vehicles
The following locomotives have been announced. More will be added to this list in the months leading up to the event. All locomotives are subject to change.
Between now and Railfest's opening, our curators are adding details about the locos to Wikipedia, where anyone can edit or add to the information. Remember anyone can edit Wikipedia, so if you spot an error or have something to add, don't tell us – go ahead and edit.
Hawk image by Bob Whitehead. Beavertail image by RVP Ltd. Sweet Pea Image by Middleton Railway Trust Collection. Tyseley L94 image by Phil Neale. Peggy image by Geoff Cryer. Pictures used under a Creative Commons license: Castle Donington by Don Davison; Mardy Monster by Paul Stainthorp; Teddy by Paul King; Bahamas by helena.40proof; Sir Nigel Gresley by Phil Sangwell; Coal Tank by Dr Neil Clifton; Furness Railway No.20 by Tall Fool; Palmerston by Cglynj; Stepney by Christopher Ward
How to get here
Please travel by public transport. There will be no public parking during Railfest except for a limited number of level access spaces for blue badge holders.
Rail: We are only a few minutes walk away from York rail station. Railfest ticket holders receive a special £5 voucher when booking travel with our partners redspottedhanky. The special offer code will be on your ticket.
Bus: The Rawcliffe Park and Ride (Green Line 2) picks up and drops off just outside our museum. Other park and ride services run to York city centre. We recommend visiting First Group for details of services and times nearer to the Railfest event.
Walking: We are 10 minutes' walk from York city centre, and a few minutes' walk from York railway station: see the map above.
Road Train: The Road Train runs daily from Duncombe Place (next to York Minster) and departs every 30 minutes from 11.15am to 4.15pm. A charge applies.
For accommodation and information about York, see the Visit York website.
Access and facilities
There will be a level route to as much of the Railfest site as possible. You will be able to get close to all the vehicles. A small number of vehicles will be positioned alongside platforms, but access to the cabs of most vehicles will be by steps. We hope to have accessible carriages running on the standard gauge, narrow gauge and miniature railway rides.
There will be catering onsite - more details soon. There will be limited parking for buggies. Baby change is available in the museum toilets as normal. Lockers will not be available.
If you're disabled and require a carer, they'll be able to get in free with your ticket. Call 0870 870 4840 for more info.
Take part
If you're looking to offer potential exhibits or get involved in the event in any way, please email:
Bob Gwynne, vehicles coordinator
vehicles.railfest@nrm.org.uk
Julie Spowart, trade & event coordinator
tradeevent.railfest@nrm.org.uk
Charlotte Hughes, corporate sponsorship coordinator
corporatesponsorship.railfest@nrm.org.uk
Volunteering
We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to undertake a variety of different roles at Railfest 2012. If you're interested in finding out more, see the Volunteering section of our main website or contact Matthew Hick, Volunteer Officer: matthew.hick@nrm.org.uk
Group tickets
Take advantage of our special group offer: the group organiser goes free for bookings of 15 or more people. There will be no coach parking available: groups can be dropped off at the turning circle (in front of our Leeman Road entrance) or at the coach drop-off point by the York Memorial Gardens.
To book group tickets please call 0870 870 4840. To discuss coach parking availability and your requirements please call 0844 815 3139 or email groupbookings@nrm.org.uk.
Keep up to date with our latest news for groups by signing up to our newsletter.
Special events
Photo event – 4 and 5 June
Get up-close snaps at these special photo events on 4 June (6.30pm – 8.30pm) and 5 June (7am – 9am). Numbers are limited to 400 people, so you’ll avoid the hustle and bustle of the daytime event. Locomotives will be fired up and in light steam, and steps and other access equipment will be removed to ensure the best shots with no obstructions. Refreshments will be available to purchase. Photo event tickets are aimed at adults. The family offer and rides will not be open during the photo events.
Evening ticket – 8 and 9 June
Enjoy the awe-inspiring sights of Britain’s biggest rail celebration after hours on 8 and 9 June (6.30pm – 9.30pm). Refreshments will be available to purchase. Evening tickets are aimed at adults. Some rides will be open but the family offer will be closed. Rides will stop at 9pm.
We are expecting a high demand for tickets for all events and advance booking is recommended. Photo and evening special events are aimed at adults but children under 16 are welcome at the adult rate if accompanied by an adult.
If you're booking a group visit, don't buy online because you won't get the special offer: call 0870 870 4840 instead.
Latest news
13 February: A new, evocative blog post from our Associate Curator of Rail Vehicles, inspired by Syndola - the 100-year-old loco that's confirmed for Railfest. Plus, over on the Railway Voices page of our main museum website, you could listen to an interview with Alan Pegler, the preservationist who bought Flying Scotsman in the 1960s.
3 February: New vehicles confirmed - Synolda, Stepney, Kirlees Light Railway Hawk, Beavertail coach and Middleton Railway passenger coach.
1 February: Our Assistant Interpretation Developer has written a fascinating blog post about Gazelle - and how it managed to upset a vicar. National Railway Museum blog
17 January: Class 37 D6700 is now confirmed as attending.
13 January: In a new blog post, Bob Gwynne, our Associate Curator of Rail Vehicles, talks about bringing Britain's steam stars to Railfest. We're also looking for people who were on the 1959 Stephenson Locomotive Society’s 'Golden Jubilee' railtour. Were you there? If so, let us know via the blog.
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†Railfest 2012 is a paid entry event although we'll continue to offer free admission to the rest of the Museum throughout the 9 days.
In association with
Kindly supported by
Part of York 800
