Press Office

Scrapheap star kicks off week of scientific fun

To mark National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March), the National Railway Museum (NRM) is hosting a jam-packed programme of practical science-based activities, including an appearance by a familiar face from Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge.

Former Head of Engineering at the NRM and Scrapheap regular, Richard Gibbon, OBE, will talk about “Why Don’t Trains have Steering Wheels…and Other Not So Stupid Questions!” at 7pm, on Saturday 8 March in this free event aimed at families.

His light-hearted, interactive look at the engineering behind trains in the NRM’s Great Hall will mark the end of the first day of the museum’s 9-day celebration of the York Festival of Science and Technology and is followed by a special, late night opening of some of the museum’s world famous exhibits for budding engineers.

Fans of popular TV programmes such as ‘Mythbusters’ and ‘Brainiac’ will also be in for a treat, as the NRM has lined up an array of hands-on experiences designed to spark an interest in science and engineering.

The family fun kicks off on Saturday 8 March with the ever popular Cab It! event when visitors of all ages can enjoy open cab access to the historic locomotives in the National Collection. There is also the golden opportunity to talk to the volunteers that worked on the railways in the bygone days of steam.

Childhood ambitions are very much to the fore during the event, with the Sheffield Meccano Guild demonstrating the amazing working models that can be built using the childhood favourite.

Those who harbour a secret ambition to be a train driver will be able to indulge their passion for power by becoming a “Diesel Driver for a Fiver” and get behind the controls of one the NRM’s full size diesel locomotives. This year, as part of a drive to encourage women to foster an interest in science, ladies can have a try for free.

School children with an interest in science will find plenty to entertain them at the NRM during Science Week, with the Rotary Club’s annual ‘Technology Tournament’ taking place Tuesday 11 March. Hot on the heels of this challenge, primary school students will be able to take part in two school ‘Discovery Days’ where youngsters can enjoy up to twenty workshops supplied by local education providers and business professionals.

The biggest ever public opening of the Discovery Days exhibition is also being held at the NRM on Saturday 15 March and includes the “mythbusters-style” family challenge Eggs in Space.

NRM event organiser Jon Pridmore explained:

“The NRM is holding more events than ever during Science Week to pass on the key message that science is fun! We have a whole museum celebrating the engineering marvel that is the railway, and we especially need to make sure we pass on the sheer wonder of science to the younger generation.”

Acting Head of Learning Tony Simons added:

“If it wasn’t for the dedication of the engineers that built the railways the world would be a very different place. We want to teach young people about the importance of science and the best way for them to learn is through hands-on activities. I’m confident that many of the hundreds of youngsters visiting the NRM during Science Week will be attracted to a future engineering career.”

25 February 2008

Notes to Editors:

  • A Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Richard’s lifelong passion has been sharing his knowledge and excitement about man-made objects with others.
  • Richard’s role at the NRM included caring for railway icons like “Mallard” and Stephenson’s “Rocket,” In this time he made several television and radio appearances including 5 appearances as Expert or Judge on Channel 4’s “Scrapheap Challenge,” BBC’s “York’s Oriental Express” (the Bullet Train) and BBC 2’s Timewatch, “The Rainhill Trials”.
  • In the year before his retirement in July 2003 after 15 years at the NRM, Richard was recognised by two awards:
  • The Heritage Railway Association honoured him in 2003 with a plaque for Outstanding Achievement in Railway Preservation, and
  • The Transport Trust gave him a Lifetime Achievement award which was presented by Prince Michael of Kent.
  • Following his retirement he has worked as “Steam Guru” to the project to install replica steam engines in Brunel’s famous ship at Bristol, the S.S.Great Britain and has just finished filming another episode of Scrapheap Challenge.