Taking a last look at the National Railway Museum

Hello Everyone,
Today Lawrie heads to York, to take a look around the NRM before it closes down for some of the biggest redevelopments in it's history.
So enjoy seeing how it was, and what work is about to commence! If you want more information have a look here on their website.
A video featuring:
Lawrie - Presenter, thrilled to be back at the NRM
Charles - Cameraman, equally thrilled to be back at the NRM.
A video edited by Lawrie
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[@abrr2000]

I actually quite liked how that section was dark. It felt moody and emotional. Because I couldn't see the walls, it gave me a sense of actually being there, walking through a snap shot of history. An old train stopped at a platform at night. It was my favorite part.

[@gs425]

I was about to say the same thing. It had real atmosphere

[@ShikiKiryu]

Same here, can agree with that

[@michael32A]

Agreed, and anybody who has been to the Belgian counterpart will attest that is definitely _not_ a light filled building... more a walk-through theatre set, with no actors.

[@gainsbourg66]

Agreed, has some committee decded to re-write the past? And why has the word national been dropped? Reeks of multculturalism

[@michael32A]

@@gainsbourg66 My understanding is a marketing company was consulted. In light of some research - I guess lacking any context - indicating the word 'National' had negative connotations, it was removed. It's a nutty decision.

[@JonBurrows90]

Been going to the railway museum since I was a kid and I love it, I’m 32 now and my 4 year old LOVES this place, it gives me so so much joy to be able to take him and see his reaction, there’s no better feeling than seeing the excitement in his face when we arrive. We need to cherish places like this and look after them as they are one of the few reasons now to be proud to be British.

[@lmm]

It is quite the place!

[@phsyco123]

Many years ago, I had the honour of getting to turn Mallard on the Turntable. I was a 10 year old train mad ball of energy that was collared by one of the staff and put to work to give my poor mother 5 minutes of peace and quiet.. They didn't think I stood a chance of even getting it going.. but not only did I prove them wrong.. I got that crank turning at quite some speed.. That feeling as this giant of mechanical history started to move because of me.. yes.. I know.. just going round in a circle.. but to a ten year old child.. "I DID THAT.... I MADE IT MOVE" And the sheer awe and wonder it left me in.. I loved trains before.. But getting to be up close.. to see them looming over you.. To realise that these monsters were not just things in films.. or the boring boxes that were on the rails at the time.. That interaction.. that is what is needed to keep history alive for a new generation, and the staff and volunteers at York and Shildon always manage to find that balance between Museum.. and wonderland.

[@diabeticlifewithtim3145]

My dad was lucky enough to be on the 3rd of Mallards 4 S&C runs in 1988, he got to stand on her footplate while she was in steam for what may well be the second to last time ever

[@likklej8]

I got train pulled by Mallard on an Ian Allan Rail-fans special to visit Doncaster Shed and Works. Cost thirty shillings ie one pound fifty the cost of a new Elvis album.

[@jamieknight326]

That’s epic. Thanks for sharing all these stories. I’ve never been to the museum due to access issues. Can’t wait to see Mallard for myself when it all reopens!

[@trevorveail]

I remember going there for the Great Gathering. It was great to see all 6 of the remaining A4 locomotives. I first went there not long after it ceased being a Locomotive shed. It has come a long way in that time. I am glad to see that they are trying to improve the buildings and grounds.

[@ImmortalAbsol]

I saw that too.

[@michaelcampin1464]

I was there too but prefered Locomotion at Shildon less visitors and you could get up closer to the engines

[@davidty2006]

@@michaelcampin1464 Shildon also has it's own interesting fleet like the NER electrics and the Deltic prototype.

[@harrytodhunter5078]

Great to see so many railway museums getting overhauls recently! NRM Shildon are getting a new collection building, Head of Steam Darlington are getting redevelopments and a new building for the P2 Group. Very exciting for all!

[@hamstirrer6882]

Ah thank god, when I read that title my heart nearly stopped! Been meaning to visit here with my dad, he always took me there as a kid and would struggle to drag me out at the end of the day! Definitely kickstarted my interest in engineering

[@MrRobbieSixx]

My best memory was railfest 2012 getting to see all the great locos and rolling stock that normally wouldn’t be together. Me and my wife went once after dating for about 2 months and fostered her interest in railways, we’ve been every year since been together taking our son for the first time last November. Can’t wait to see their plans come to fruition.

[@sarahhall738]

Iv been twice once at about 17 with family, then in 2015 when I on my own had a long weekend in York. The archive was my favourite bit. A certain platform 9 and three quarters was the first thing I noticed. But the best bit on a bench a sign Yarmouth South Town the very station my great great grandfather was stationmaster at. Boy did I feel proud 🙂

[@sirrliv]

I first visited the NRM all the way back in 2010 as part of my first ever solo vacation and my first trip outside of the USA. It was also right after having spent the weekend at the Bluebell Railway's 50th Anniversary Gala. I'd been roughly familiar with the NRM for quite awhile, but visiting it for the first time was something else entirely. It was wonderous. And to be honest, kind of overwhelming. Hearing their plans for the Great Hall, to try and arrange things for a more coherent story sounds like a good idea to me, makes things more digestible. It was a real treat to have run into a friendly member of staff who let me onto the M7's footplate and into a compartment of the LSWR coach. I even got a ride behind City of Truro on the demonstration line on one of her last years in steam. I visited again in 2014 during a university Study Abroad program studying industrial history based out of Chester. I must admit, my second visit was a touch underwhelming; partly because I was feeling somewhat poorly at the time, partly as I'd missed the big group outing so was there alone instead of with friends, and partly because I'd already visited the STEAM Museum in Swindon, which to my mind is what the NRM should be aiming for with their remodel; again, a very coherent flowing narrative that engrosses you in the story of railways. As Hyce has noted, it's the story that engages people and draws them in. And what is "History" if not "Hi, Story", some of the greatest tales mankind has ever known with the added benefit that they're true! The one thing that I think is something of a mistake so far with this development is renaming the place to just "Railway Museum". By calling it the "National Railway Museum" it was clear that this was a museum for the whole nation, somewhere that represents the nation. Calling it just the "Railway Museum" makes it sound more generic, and yet also like a niche place for foamers, not something for everyone. You may as well start calling them the "Maritime Museum" or the "Air Museum" and see what that gets you.

[@deang5622]

I remember first visiting the NRM in 1975.

[@attuslebeard5133]

Can't believe I've being going to York Railway Museum (as it was originally known) for around 50 years. I think I need the makeover much more than the museum does! Love everything about the museum especially the archives and the train rides (miniature and full size)

[@obifox6356]

Thanks, Lawrie, I appreciate the opportunity to visit the NRM again via your video. We visited in person for a good part of two days a few years ago. One of the world’s best museums and most enjoyable.

[@lmm]

It is super. It's going to be interesting to see what it'll look like when they're done

[@chriswoods7452]

Thanks Laurie. This museum has been part of my life since about age 5, I’m 39 now. Over that time I’ve visited from Hull, only an hour away from York with parents, grand parents, friends, and more recently with my own children. Parts of the place have been constants, Mallard, the model railway, the Royal Train and the cafe on the platform, and of course the infamous underpass. I’ve ridden behind Rocket, my kids have ridden the miniature railway, and taken brass rubbings in the station hall. I’m a little saddened to hear about these wholesale changes, but excited to visit again once it’s all done, and my youngest has yet to visit so it will all be new. Appreciate the video, thanks again.

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Very cool video. My wife and I visited the UK last June (2022) and visited the NRM were we met a few fellow model train enthusiasts from the UK at the York NRM. It was astounding and I got to see the Mallard (my favorite steam locomotive- even though I am a modern era Central Euro trains kind of guy). The experience was overwhelming (in a good way). So glad we visited and got to share it with several UK rail fans and afficiandos who really could educate me on the UK rail system and these trains and coaches. Thanks for a fond memory!

[@Normandie17]

This is a very special place for me. When I was a young boy, my Grandfather use to take me here all the time. He passed away in 2003 and I go here when I can just to honor him.

[@lmm]

How lovely to have somewhere you feel close to him

[@MePeterNicholls]

I saw the great gathering of A4 Pacific’s at NRM. So so glad I did that.

[@paulshirley6383]

Taking a last look at the National Railway Museum LOVE LOUIS SHIRLY

[@lloydi]

My wife and I have been here a few times. She's not massive into steam locos but likes them enough, but she really found this interesting every time we've been

[@stevenbarker57]

Hello , great to see this video , It is about time the museum was upgraded , it has been going down hill for a number of years now , always worth a visit though .. I would say that my best time visiting the museum was for the Great Gathering and seeing all the surviving A4's lined up together it was simply amazing . My second best time , of course , was meeting you there when you were shooting this very video , thank you for taking time to have a chat and for chatting to my son too it was a pleasure to meet you , Keep up the great work ....

[@MaxTSanches]

On my wife's first trip to England that was the first, of many, museums that we went through. It was her first trip to England and Scotland. I remember the museum as being dark, but as a very young child (1960s) I remember going to the train station and it too being dark with soot and coal dust. So it was just as I remembered trains before my parents emigrated to Canada. :)

[@EricH_1983]

Glad to see my favourite museum getting the love and attention it deserves..

[@michaelgarofalo6231]

Takes me back a long old way, first time I went there I was a Thomas obsessed two year old and my grandmother told my mother “Oh! You can’t take him there! He’ll get bored!” It remains one of only two times I threw a tantrum…when my parents were trying to get me to leave because the museum was closing for the night! 😂 An absolutely wondrous place that I still love twenty-two years later!

[@lmm]

It will always be a special place!

[@alexpiper9475]

thank you . excellent up date of my favorite museum .only been able to go there one time and took pictures of 0-4-0+0-4-0 on the turntable.nice job, good luck!

[@samuelfarris1949]

Hey there Lawrie. Little while since I last followed one of your new videos. Had to comment on this one - I made many visits to the NRM as it stood over the years, during several family holidays in Yorkshire. It was always a key place to call on for us, such is my love of trains. I went to the 2008 'End of Steam' Gathering there and the 2012 York Railfest, which I think is the last time we went before my late mother unfortunately died from illness. I did a York University degree on transport studies, and I had the pleasure to arrange to cab a select few exhibits thanks to the generosity of one of the museum staff. I do like the ideas being put forward in the Museum's revamp; they'll make the experience of visiting more ready to follow for the general visitor, but I nevertheless will relish the memories of the pure rawness of what it was like to be there as it was. Regards, Samuel.

[@napsbrickrailways2290]

I went to the railway museum in 2020 with my dad before the whole lockdown stuff happened. It was one of the last trips I ever went with him. The railway museum will always hold a place in my heart. We also got evacuated because of a grill fire. Good times.

[@lmm]

I can understand why it'll be special forever for you

[@jackwosullivan]

Its good to see the science museum group taking the upkeep of their museums seriously. My local is the science and industry museum in manchester and the work theyve been doing here is brilliant

[@williamparker3765]

Many thanks for your video on the NRM, I have made a least half a dozen visits over my years, the last one about 8or 9 years ago, and I look forward to going again when it reopens and to see the changes made, please keep all of your video subscribers up to date.

[@paulberry-969]

I’ve been visiting the museum since it opened in 1975. Throughout that time I’ve been so impressed with how it has grown and evolved. I’m really excited to see what changes will be made as I know they will have been thoroughly considered and will be well executed.

[@lmm]

I'm excited to see what happens. It need to appeal to two very different groups, and that's the problem. It has to be good for the enthusiasts, but also for the general public. Hard thing to achieve

[@EthanDolan61101]

I came here last Summer with my brother, we loved it so much and I can't wait to visit again.

[@Maker_of_Things]

My wife and I did our courting at the Railway Museum. She lived in York then while I am in Salford, and I would drive over there, on her invitation to 'visit the museum'. It was where we finally realised we had 'found the one' while looking at Flying Scotsman being rebuilt. After a couple of years we got married in York registry office, and between there and our reception at St Nicholas Fields Environment Centre we arranged to meet up with a load of friends to have a guerrilla tea party at the Railway Museum. We descended en-masse into the cafe and slowly brought all the vacant chairs and tables together. Afterwards our photographer took charge and marched us around clearing museum visitors out of shot to get some really lovely wedding photos of us and locomotives, and us and all our friends standing on the pedestrian over bridge. It was a fantastic day and will be in our memories for ever. It will be very strange revisiting the museum again in the future to find it has been completely refurbished and altered.

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

So many beautiful machines in there! But I haven't been back for some considerable time now, something I must rectify! 🙂 Thank you Lawrie! 🙂

[@kylekaye9147]

As absolutely gutted i am to see the workshop go as this was always a favourite of mine. Watching this and some the other works they are doing might seay me to visit again.

[@andrewentwistle515]

Great video from Lawrie. I didn't realise that the Original Rocket was at York as it has been a while since I last visited the museum. It certainly provided me with plenty of happy memories. I look forward to seeing it again when the work is done.

[@citricamoeba]

I'll never forget the first time I saw Rocket, standing in the little alcove she was still in in this video. I'd just walked alongside a line of coaches, turned round the corner, saw her and my jaw dropped. I can't wait to see how the museum looks once it's finished!

[@casperreininga3253]

First (And currently only) time I saw Rocket was when she was still keeping Billy company in London.

[@citricamoeba]

@@casperreininga3253 I never knew she was there 😂😂 I'll have to go see Billy again at some point!

[@ThexMJT]

One of my favorite places to vist when I was a kid. Quick journey down from Newcastle on GNER day at that NRM, and then back home. Love going back with my dad in my late 20's bring back many memories and we now also mix it with a few pub visits also.

[@maghost_rider5698]

Last time I went to the NRM was for Railfest back in 2012. Was part of the team that was there with Schools class No.925 Cheltenham. Happy memorys :)

[@dawsonfradin9071]

Gives me hope that so much effort is being put into making Railroad museums a forefront for tourism, as well as highlighting the cultural and symbolic significance. Here in the US, that same sentiment isn't shared nearly on the same level. We have our railroad museums, but they are often spread far apart, and struggle to have enough funding to continue to restore more locomotives and update their current fleets. I hope this serves as a source of inspiration to make railroads more accessible and a forefront to more Americans.

[@stuarthart3370]

Loved all those images. I think if the roof has to be replaced because it can't be made waterproof, then I'd definitely go with a new one. I quite like the nostalgic semi darkness. I'm just so happy, as many others contested to, that I was at the A4 gathering. Gresley was a genius, Many thanks Lawrie

[@harrymcandrew1447]

i think its a 2010 roof so there mostly wanting to remove it and replace it to make it element and water tight

[@paulb1967]

I went there last Summer and not being a train buff, i wasn't expecting much... but it was fantastic! Biggest surprise was the free entry. My boys and i had a full day of fun and education... and yes, the cross sectioned engine instantly made sense. We will gladly go back after completion of the revamp. Great video!

[@Flymochairman1]

I've never been able to get in to see the exhibits but in the 8-9 times I've passed, it was always a thrill to see what, if anything, was being readied for demonstration/Special Train duties. Ah, well, at least they'll be spared a cutters torch and that's the main thing, I dare say. Keep Safe there. Cheers Lawrie.

[@lmm]

It's certainly worth a look!

[@alunhoskins4513]

I remember visiting the railway/transport museum in the ‘60s on numerous occasions when it was in London. Day trips to Town from Hastings. I recall climbing the steps up to the cab of the Mallard and putting a coin (6d?) in a slot to listen to a recording from the footplate of the record breaking run. Never did get to the new museum. Mind you, living in Ireland now York is a lot closer. Might have to pop over and put that right.

[@michaelcauser474]

Thank you for this video and the information in it. I was last in the UK from Australia about 10 years ago and managed to visit Shildon and the LT museum in London. Shildon was fantastic as I was able to get closeup details that I had been searching for. As for the LT museum in London, which I was visiting for the same reason, forget it. It was more like a kids playground than somewhere to get historical information. A total waste of my time. If that is the style they are planning for York, then they have just saved me wasting my efforts in trying to get there. Museum, fantastic. Playground, forget it.

[@lmm]

The NRM has the problem of having to appeal to everyone as its state owned, it's not just for enthusiasts.

[@Wulfbear99]

I remember some of the collection being at Didcot in the late 60's where I was a young volunteer, finally made it in the mid 1990s must make another trip soon.

[@ericlackford6718]

I remember York railway museum in the late 60's early 70's , dark and dingy like the old shed it was and went to the opening of the new museum in 1975, have been every few years since and seen all the changes. I doubt I will get to visit this new and exciting venture, but good luck to the NRM.

[@benjaminhack47]

I first visited York with my great uncle, uncle and grandfather (true boys day out!) in 2013 for the Great Gathering. The sight of all 6 A4s certainly made an impression on a young me! My favourite part excluding the great hall must be station hall, it was like being in a terminus in the hey day of the pregrouping railways with 673, the M7, Gladstone & 1247. Initially I was quite against the overhaul of the place but having seen the drip trays over the Royal Stock and how tired a few areas look, I’m quite for the rebuild. As the home of the National Collection, it needs looking after! Regarding Rocket, I’d have it inside the entrance so it’s the first thing you see, the engine that started the first successful passenger carrying railway. Many thanks for the video Lawrie & Co!

[@jamfjord]

Thanks for this, I didn't realise all that work was going on, I was on the verge of jumping on the train to spend the day there later this month, so cheers very much for the heads up 🙏👍 I haven't been there since I was a kid (which is decades ago rather than years) PS production game is getting *very* strong, especially loving the music

[@frogandspanner]

My first visit to NRM was soon after it opened in the mid '70s, combined with a visit to Jorvik when it was a muddy hole in the ground and excavated oyster shells were being sold to help fund the dig. My second visit was as the venue for a conference dinner in 2003, with Trevor Baylis (windup radio man) as the keynote speaker. That was great as we had full access to the main exhibits with no crowds.

[@diabeticlifewithtim3145]

Love how there’s an M&GN Fakenham Station sign in the gubbins section, as I lived in Fakenham for about 4 years on and off!

[@queeg6473]

I've only been there once. It was a surprise day out fot me, my wife and daughter. When we got there after a 5 hour drive my daughter was Really smegged off 'cos she thought it was a model railway museum. She then walked into the first hall and was nose to nose with the Eurostar at track level. Her jaw hit the floor...

[@TheBlackwolfYT]

I visited the museum when I was 8 its seems embarrassing but as soon as I walked in I cried hystericaly in happiness and pure enjoyment 😅

[@lmm]

I think that was similar to my first visit

[@Levelochef]

One of the best things I like about the Tank Museum Bovington is that they have a theme, and they theme parts of the museum and are constantly changing things to make the museum attractive. I understand that’s MUCH more difficult than with trains and locomotives - but I do very much appreciate what the RM are doing.

[@lmm]

Quite the challenge indeed!

[@warden330]

I think it worth emphasising that although the redevelopment has begun it does not mean that it is not worth visiting now. The Great Hall still has the wow factor, and the Wonder Lab will open in the summer. You can plan to visit in a couple of years or so when the museum is transformed, along with the station frontage on the museum side as well as the main one on Queen Street, but no reason not to fit in another trip before then.

[@malakai651]

I've been several times and always thoroughly enjoyed it, it's one of the most fabulous museums. I agree with one of your comments that you could spend a full day in just part of it. I grew up with steam trains and it's hard to explain to someone just how exciting trains are be it model railways or full size trains. The revamp I'm looking forward to keep us posted.

[@rossbryan6102]

IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO SEE ONE OF YOUR VERY EARLY STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN OPERATION AT A RAIL FAIR IN SACREMENTO CALIFORNIA IN 1991! IT WAS THE “LOCOMOTION “ENGINE. WAS ALSO QUITE INTERESTING IN SPEAKING WITH THOSE WHO CAME OVER AND CREWED IT!! KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!! 👍👍

[@lmm]

Oh yes, I remember the replica went out, as did the J52!

[@oc2phish07]

I visited the museum a couple of years ago when I had a short break in York. Amazing place. Thanks for a very interesting video.

[@lmm]

You're most welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavidJones-pi8rl]

When I lived in York in 2007 / 2008, my unit was only a few hundred metres from the NRMY and visited quite a few times in year I was there. It is now 15 years since I left York and returned home to Melbourne, seeing this made long for those days!

[@Steve-bo6ht]

Visited just before Christmas with my wife we absolutely loved our visit and all the staff couldn't be more helpful, really glad the museum is getting it's well deserved overhaul and we'll be right back when it reopens in the future. Really appreciate your excellent video tour Lawrie brought back the memories of our day many thanks.

[@modeltrainsandtracks]

It's very conscientious of the management to reduce the lighting to save electricity ! Well done.

[@TwigTheThird]

Huh, that’s funny, at work today I saw there was a Stopping Up order on that road and wondered what was going on haha

[@neilcurson4505]

First went to the York railway museum in about 1951, it was only a small collection of mainly eastern engine s in very low roof sheds. Been to the new museum with my son's and now grand sons and daughters. Eldest grand son now works there, lucky lad.

[@Blackfive1945]

Been there in January 1960 when just turned 14 in Dec `59.Took the train from Edinburgh to York with my pal .We sneaked into the railway shed .Really no one bothered in these days .The great hall where that sectioned Merchant Navy is was the roundhouse .It was filthy with smokey engines . There were loads of engines there and station very busy . In these days boys had very long leads .Nowadays parents hardly let them to end of their street ,We also went to Newcastle ,Carlisle and Glasgow .

[@johnnz4375]

I visited the museum in the mid 70’s as a young boy, now being almost 60 I would love to visit it again but it is unlikely to ever happen. As I now live in New Zealand.

[@combatking0]

I remember taking my son when he was just over a year old. The experience definitely had an impact because all he would say when we left was "Trains!" in that cute little voice he had back then. We even had a our picture taken together outside an old style carriage wearing clothing from the time. I keep telling him "That's our ancestors when they came to live in our town." but he knows I'm joking. Fun times.

[@lmm]

That's what it's all about though - making memories!

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Awesome. Need to go there.

[@1171karl]

Thanks for this, I've been intending to visit here for a number of years, and now I know about the work planned I'll make sure its completed before I do finally get there.

[@Jamie_Gamedev]

Great video. So glad got to visit last year, can’t wait to see it when it’s finished

[@jordanbryan2729]

Me and my family actually talked to the curator the last time we went there, which was about 4 months ago, and he said the full extent on the work they are planning should take about 10 years to fully bring to fruition

[@DaveP668]

Still remember my first visit which was a school trip about 45 years ago. Great day out and I remember we all spent money on postcards of locos from vending machines! I then moved away from Yorkshire and next visited about 20 years ago with my nephew and it hadn't changed much. Then daughter came along and we went a lot 10-15 years ago. I look forwards to it being redeveloped and seeimg the changes. My favourite however is the Bullet train! If its available on line the programme covering the process getting it from Japan is excellent.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Really enjoy going to the Railway Museum, great memories were Railfest of 2012 and the Great Gathering of the six A4s, great video

[@johnboxxy3432]

I remember seeing Mallard at Kings Cross when I was a kid in the late 50s. Visiting York from Australia, just before covid hit, it seemed a little strange to see it cold and static but great it's been preserved.

[@frogandspanner]

6:10 That is a realistic representation of railways when I was a kid in the '50s - filthy glass and dingy stations.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

I can not wait to see this next year when it is done !!

[@CH11LER.]

I remember somewhere in the archive section there's a model train with a demonstration on how gears work allowing you to change the model trains speed depending on the gear ratio. I was only a kid so that is my main memory. I remember how nice and well looked after the engines looked but, I don't think I fully appreciated them as much as I would these days

[@christofsmanlib1385]

Really good video, taking it all in whilst I can!!! 😳 Look forward to seeing some aspects of the new major revamp, but other parts I suspect going to be o dear!! As one of the other comments @abrr2000 says, it was really good having the darkened building, really giving the place a mood to get yourself lost in. Real shame that aspect is going to be lost. Outside that building in the south yard, that should be great all revamped, much more pleasant. Thanks for taking the time to make and publish your video with us all 👍😊

[@Darth_Chicken]

When I was a kid there was the old railway museum in York which was due to relocate to London. I knew a guy who got the petition up to keep it in York. It is a fabulous museum.

[@timdawes6361]

Another great video, thank you Lawrie! I have many fond memories of the NRM...ehem...RM. But chiefly among them is when they had The Great Gathering a few years ago. Such a fantastic event.

[@andrewmonument8847]

Been to the NRM hundreds of times during my lifetime. It will be very interesting to see once everything has been changed, constructed and finished. I'm only about 50 minutes from York by train - and a lifelong train 'nut', so I'll probably be making a lot more visits !

[@eze8970]

Thanks Lawrie, not been there since about 1988...Some great engineering in there! 🙏🙏

[@peterrobinson4368]

Best memory in the NRM was seeing the great gathering of A4 Pacifics. Getting a chance to stand on the foot plate of Bitten and Sir Nigel Gresley

[@dannyseville2543]

Last time I was there was nearly 10 years ago and I like to visit every now n then. To me, this is a great news story in that although some of the atmosphere might be lost, the fact they can and are investing so much into the whole site means it must be doing well and they see the benefit in spending all that money. Long may such an iconic museum live.

[@Mattube1964]

Been there twice in my life. 1985 and 2019. Loved it both times. Certainly better than anything we have in Australia. Now that they are having a major refurb, I should start saving my money and planning a trip for the reopening.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I was there in 2004. In the yard was the A4, Union of South Africa that was cooling down after a run. A guy was on a ladder was using Simoniz wax on it. I use that on my car! I was able to go into the workshop where the Flying Scotsman was being rebuilt- all the boiler tubes were removed and they were severely pitted due to excess oxygen. I said to a guy there how I saw it in New York in 1969 on it's Alan Pegler tour and how a guy on the tour told me how it was almost lost at sea during a storm. The guy said that it may have been him that told me because he was on that tour. I was there again this past July and there wasn't anything happening in the yard and I missed that collection of model ships and such. I plan to be back this August and will see if I can look at all that.

[@lanmastersassistant659]

Its a very special place. I look forward to the completions

[@gabe2000able]

I remember visiting the "Old" museum in the old Engine Shed before the current museum opened. Visited the "New" museum a few times and watched it growing! Nice to see even more being done for the future.

[@tonylancaster8704]

Been here many times but the best one was when they had all six class A4s and when it started to get dark a lot of the lights were turned of and it made for some great photos they also had sound effects of steam trains passing even my late wife who only had a passing interest in trains enjoyed the experience.

[@Lighting_Desk]

I didn't know they were redevloping. My favourite thing to do it train from NCL to York and then a day at the museum.

[@philkelsall1207]

The archive is one of my favourite areas of the museum.

[@MePeterNicholls]

I’ve sat in the library there for hours. Such joy

[@worldcomicsreview354]

I went here in 89 or 90, My dad and I got tickets off Cornflakes boxes. I remember being crazily excited because we were going on a "125", which I thought was a brand new train that actually went 125mph. I still remember loads of odds and ends about it even though I was a toddler. They should put a dome over the turntable area, like the one at King's Cross (or maybe not, considering how long that took!). And turn that subway into a mock London Underground station, with an old train in it and period decoration. That Royal Train reminds me of one I saw in a museum in Japan, probably of similar age, too. The entire train is in a box!

[@geordieceltic2]

I hope that they get it right as it is quite special as it is. Good luck with the new development.

[@royston600]

Glad to see theNRM is finally open it took them long enough , I went to York just after covid restrictions were lifted to find it closed due to staff shortages while the rest of York was open and buzzing I also don’t appreciate the wheel and rebuild part that was a great attraction is now gone to form a kiddies play area they need telling what this museum exists for !

[@jamesbraithwaite478]

When I was a very small kid (four or five years old), I crawled under a steam locomotive there. I believe it was the Mallard. I got COVERED in oil & grease doing this. I have no memory of it, but my family have.

[@numptypootis8012]

I been there for my birthday back at the end of the year, it was so nice to finally be there and see so many engines I thought I'd never see when I have examples of them in model form. I remember lots of people like to fiddle about with the indicator discs on the class 31

[@thomasthetankman111]

I was reading that they expect the station building to be finished by 2024. But have they made as estimate for when they want everything done? I assumed it was only going to be the station building but this has shown so much more development than I was expecting!

[@joshuachapman4136]

Hey, yes Station Hall is due to reopen in Autumn 2024. Wonderlab will open in Summer 2023. It’s hoped that the new Central Hall will be open probably late 2025, but it really depends on construction timings. South Yard will be finished around a similar time to Central Hall, maybe slightly after.

[@dancedecker]

Excellent video and thanks for the heads up on what's happening there. Sounds impressive. Can't wait to see it when completed. My best memory of many there, was "The Great Gathering". I waited until the late afternoon to see them prepare for the locos all being perfectly lined up for the ticket only event later that evening. I was expecting them to kick us out before they were all perfectly lined up, but they didn't. I got some ABSOLUTELY perfect few shots, before I voluntarily left. The dusk lighting, coupled with the artificial ones they set up, was absolutely perfect, the line up was exactly right and all... for free. And I wasn't being a cheapskate, as I'd have happily have paid the big ticket price, but it was sold out, so in thanks, I dropped a VERY reasonable donation in the box at the exit in thanks. ( Maybe the guys hoped I'd do that and so left me alone. Who knows?) Amazing and thanks to the guys for NOT kicking us out, when they probably should have done. Lol. Oh and another time whilst they were all there, they were all together on 6 of the turntable tracks, but there was NEVER a point that there wasn't someone in the way and usually many of them, which whilst understandable, is frustrating. It was nearly closing time, so I saw the lady staff member looking after that area and promised not to delay her going, but just asked if she'd " ignore me for thirty seconds" after she'd cleared the last visitors and she tapped her nose to acknowledge she knew what I wanted to do and why and agreed. I managed to quickly line it up perfectly and bashed off as many shots as I could without breaking my 30 second promise, ran back to join the exiting visitors and even managed to thank her and still not be the last visitor out, which I felt showed I'd kept my side of the bargain. So i again dropped a very reasonable donation in the box in thanks. Excellent.

[@mandymoo7406]

Thank you for this,it's a few years since I've been,love the storage section,hope thats untouched,looking forward to it being updated

[@dstenger]

Thanks for sharing with us across the pond!

[@lmm]

You're most welcome!

[@andyfalconer18]

I used to go the nrm when I was a kid and it has changed alot since I last went would love to go back there after its had its renovation done

[@pepperthekobold]

The NRM (along with the NYMR) were an enormous part of my childhood. The two were always my destinations of choice for birthdays. After my parents divorced, these regular trips ceased and it wasn't until many years later that the opportunity to visit again presented itself. We attended the NRM during the 75th anniversary celebrations of Mallard's record, where all six remaining A4s were gathered. My nephew, bless him, was more interested in Olton Hall, still dressed as Hogwarts Castle. What struck me the most was that, whilst there were guest locomotives, the place had hardly changed and I still recognised the vast majority. I was transported straight back to my childhood, no older than my nephew, looking up at these mighty machines, imagining the sights and sounds as they thundered through the countryside. More than a decade had gone by and the place was almost exactly as I remembered it. I'm glad I was able to go before this remodelling but now I'll have to take myself down there after and reacquaint myself once the work is complete.

[@scootergrant8683]

I am going to miss the little subway. That was where most us as kids would ogle at all the different model railway locomotives on the wall.

[@DouglasParkinson]

I got into Hornby in 2015 and later in that year, visited the Railway Museum. Coincidentally on the journey up there, our coach took a rest stop at a service station and a lorry carrying NCB 66 pulled immediately after. 66 was on her way home to Buckinghamshire, and was the last standard gauge steam locomotive built in this country until Tornado came around. In 2016, I took the opportunity to visit a second time during Scotsman Season; Flying Scotsman had not long been returned to operation so there was a celebration of the locomotive and others that have operated the service. They had the Stirling Single, a GNR Atlantic, 60103 and Deltic KOYLI shoulder to shoulder around the turntable. I need to visit again, but I'll wait until the work is finished. I wonder what will open first, the refurbished Railway Museum or the One:One Collection in Margate.