RAILWAY fans can once again explore a major destination after a two-year, £10.5million refurb, with several new attractions.
The National Railway Museum in York – which is the best of its kind in the world according to On Magazine – will reopen Station Hall today after an extensive refurbishment.
The National Railway Museum in York is the best of its kind in the world according to On Magazine[/caption]
And today it is reopening the Station Hall gallery, which has been refurbished over the past two years[/caption]
During that time, the hall was given a new roof and several structural improvements were made[/caption]
The Grade II listed hall is home to a number of different vehicles from throughout railway history in the UK.
Entering the hall, visitors will first see various different advertisements and signage.
Then there is a section that tells of how the royals impacted train travel, such as how they inspired the first on-train toilets and the implementation of air conditioning and umbrella holders.
You can even see inside Queen Victoria‘s carriage, with lots of decoration and see King Edward VII’s bathtub in his Saloon carriage.
The Station Hall was first built in the 1870s and used to house York’s main good station and it operated as a railway right up until the 1960s.
Around three decades later, in 1990, it opened as a gallery, before closing for refurbishment back in 2023.
Across the past two years, Station Hall has received a new roof as well as many other structural improvements.
And there are new additions to the gallery too, including recently restored objects as well as new attractions such as a WH Smith bookstall which was first installed in London Waterloo Station in 1922.
After exploring, you can grab a light bite to eat and a drink in the Station Hall Café.
Or head to the Countess of York for afternoon tea on an original train carriage.
Across this weekend, the museum – which was recently named the Best Family Attraction in York and Best Rainy Day Experience at the Little Vikings 2025 Awards – is also celebrating 50 years since the museum first opened.
The event will allow visitors so see a number of areas usually closed off to the public, as well as listen to a number of expert talks.
Visitors will also get the chance to step inside some of the historic trains such as the world’s fastest steam locomotive – the Mallard, the Boxhill train, an Intercity 125 train or a Eurostar train.
Visitors can catch a glimpse of the Conservation Studio as well, where they will see different objects, archives and rail vehicles being cared for.
Across September 27 and 28, the museum is also celebrating its 50th anniversary[/caption]
In the Station Hall, there will be a conservation talk where visitors can learn about how the conservation team at the museum preserves artefacts and how the rail vehicles were protected during the building works.
In addition, curators will be hosting some talks to share how the railways first formed and give visitors the chance to get up close to their favourite items.
A number of activities will also be suited for families, including storytelling, face painting and stilt walkers.
And there is the miniature railway as well, which needs to be booked but is free of charge.
In fact, access to the event and all of the activities are free.
Over the course of the weekend there will be a number of events, including talks and the chance to see inside some of the trains[/caption]
Tickets do need to be booked for the museum though, which is open seven days a week, between 10am and 5pm.
In addition to the Station Hall, the museum has recently started construction on another building known as the Central Hall, which will be at the middle of the site.
The new space will feature a gallery with different innovative technologies, showing the impact of the UK’s railways on our everyday lives.
The new Central Hall is then expected to open to the public in 2027.
A historic UK station that used to have trains to the beach is set to reopen after 60 years – with vintage dining carriage plans.
Plus, the world’s oldest electric railway runs trains across one of the UK’s most popular beaches.
The entire event, and access to the museum, is free of charge[/caption]
