National Railway Museum, York

A must visit for any train enthusiast, but also interesting for anyone who has an interest in social history or 'days gone by.' The trains really are the centre piece, but there are also lots of items from railway stations displayed around the trains: trolleys with luggage, posters advertising destinations for holidays and many enamelled advertising and information signs. These items create a context for the trains and this helps to bring them to life, it's easy to imagine who would be travelling and what their experience would have been when you see earthenware ginger beer bottles left on a seat or a sack barrow with suitcases and tennis rackets on the platform. The turntable in the second hall is a good reminder that the site of the museum was a working maintenance shed. The archive hall is full of items associated the all aspects of trains, railways and stations. Some are quirky - the packaging from the last microwave cheese burger served - and other show how railway staff were trained or equipped. Everything you could possibly imagine associated with railways can probably be found here. There is almost too much to take in in one visit. The site is wheel chair accessible although one life was out of use when we visited. There is one lot of toilets located near to the entrance, these are modern, clean and well maintained. As a non-train enthusiast engineer, I found plenty to look at and found the hall housing the railway associated items really fascinating. We spent four hours here, but I can imagine those who are truly interested in trains could easily spend a whole day taking it all in. Small children and teenagers may not find much to engage them as the displays are factual with little to interact with or try out. There are cafes in both of the train display halls and they offer a nice choice of snacks and more substantial meals and the prices are not overly expensive. Book ahead as the number of people that can enter is limited by time slots and just turning up may result in a wait before you can enter.

Overall a good museum, plenty to see here if you've an interest in trains or just need ti keep the family entertained for a couple of hours. In June 22, it was still advisable to book online so as to regulate how crowded it gets. Whilst you can get free tickets on the website, it seems to ask for a donation ticket price of £5/adult. It is a big space and split into three main halls. One an old station layout with a cafe & plenty of seating. Interesting to see the old royal carriages and some eclectic rolling stock. In another hall (short walk), there are a range of nationally important & impressive engines including a Bullet train, The Evening Star and Mallard. There is also a steam engine here with massive sections cut away & painted so you can see how it works. Sadly there is no real meaningful explanation. Indeed explanation sheets/boards are minimal throughout the museum, which kind of lets down the whole experience somewhat. A 3rd hall has a really impressive load of old junk (memorabilia) all catalogued and stacked onto shelves. Again this could have more explanation of what has been collected/displayed. This is after all a National railway museum.

Enjoyed our visit. Good selection of locomotives and rolling stock on display. Entrance is currently free with boxes for any donations. You are advised to book your entrance ticket online, prior to actually arriving at the museum. Car parking onsite with a disabled parking area closer to the main entrance. At the time of our visit, parking was £10 for all day. A lot of areas currently undergoing refurbishment/redevelopment, but this did not distract too much from the overall experience.

I would say this is the best museum I visited in my entire life. The museum is Free to enter, but before you go you have to book tickets online. (Donations welcomed) There is a car park on the ground, you have to buy tickets from the museum, if you have a blue badge the parking is free. The museum is huge. You probably going to spend around 2 hours in the museum. The collection of trains and carriages are remarkable. If you you are visiting York, this is the place you should not miss, especially if it’s raining outside, you will be covered.

A great experience for adults with so many amazing trains to look at and read about. Could be better for younger children with more for them to do. Perhaps the museum could ask youngsters what they'd like to see / do - here's our son's suggestions 🤣 - Upside down model railway - Mini railway (or individual robot trains) inside which tours around the trains - Mallard experience (simulator) where you can push a button and choose which virtual train you'd like to ride - A big picture of the railways showing where trains are, tunnels etc. - Learn how to drive a train - Big blocks puzzle where you can make the shape of Mallard - Have models of each train going around that train The cafes are pricey, but well stocked ... and you don't pay to get in so we're more than happy to pay a surplus for food to help museums like this keep running their fantastic services.