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.

[@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!

[@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 🙂

[@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.

[@frogandspanner]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 .

[@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.

[@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.

[@daveellis9575]

I stood in what is now the great hall when it was a smoky, noisy, dirty engine shed when I was seven. I was waiting for my pop to get his last pay packet after retirement as a top link driver. I was terrified by the noise and by the scale of the huge steam engines. I stand in the same place now and I can still see it as it was. My father hated it! He did structural inspections on the old roof and hated the soot and the sulphur. For me the loss of Leeman Road, and the old buildings of the yard have a personal impact but changes have to be made. It has to be made to engage my grandchildren. They love the place as it is, not how it was.

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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 !

[@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.

[@Streaky100001]

I think my best memory of NRM has to have been being present for the great A4 meetup, with quite a number of A4s sat around the turntable. That was a sight to see.

[@Streaky100001]

Oh, and of course, the time I had the opportunity to stand on Mallards footplate. Sadly she wasn't doing anywhere close to 126MPH at the time, still a cool place to stand though.

[@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.

[@dstenger]

Thanks for sharing with us across the pond!

[@lmm]

You're most welcome!

[@Jimyjames73]

Sad to hear it's closing for a while, but hope it re-opens soon - haven't been there for many yrs!!! 😐🚂🚂🚂

[@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!

[@unionofsouthafricasuperfan6333]

I liked it when you were allowed to go on to the footplates of locomotives and people were inside to talk you through everything

[@johnjephcote7636]

My first visit was to the old and I think, original York station where the NER had established its collection. Later, in 1964 I visited the steam shed which is now, I think, the Great Hall. I was able to go to the relatively recent Great Gathering of A4s.

[@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.

[@georgejonesthestarseeds77]

2:42 was that City of Truro I saw? I couldn't tell cause it was a bit dark. But wow! All those other engines, especially the Stirling single, that was absolute machine beauty!!

[@sodorflubbs5000]

I was planning on going there this year but I might leave it till the work is finished.

[@asanewby4273]

Magnificent insight. Salutations from across the pond in the U.S.

[@NathanielKempson]

I have felt for a while, that the NRM is one of the most under funded and over run museums in the UK. All the other ones have masses of income and support and space, and heres the NRM housing THE ROYAL FREAKING TRAINS under a roof that leaks.......hows........hows that fair? So i am overjoyed to see that FINALLY its getting its "Cutty Sark" moment and undergoing such drastic change to preserve the collection it houses.

[@rswindsor-bell5589]

Looking forward to the new NRM. I just hope it won't be less exhibits, less track and more coffee shops and seats! That does seem to have been a theme.

[@lmm]

Hopefully it'll be much better!

[@lolroflpmsl]

I can't recall it changing much in the 30-odd years I've been going.

[@lmm]

Things move about, they layout is often different with different engines on display.

[@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)

[@donallen1384]

Thank you for the video, all the big loco’s, but what about the small loco’s that worked in factories, I worked on Imperial 1, back in the 1960s, a loco now at Shildon railway museum.

[@Taggart00]

Are you planning to visit all the Yorkshire based Railway museums?

[@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 ....

[@rudititanic]

So many wonderful memories, but one of those that sticks out was lecturing on my PhD research in their lovely auditorium as part of (I believe) their first public conference.

[@philroberts7238]

As a matter of interest, what was the subject of your research?

[@rudititanic]

@@philroberts7238 It was the socio-economic impacts of the coming of the railways to Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire 1838-1900. Quite eye-opening, and the potted rail history section recently took on a life of its own as my third book.

[@philroberts7238]

@@rudititanic And as another matter of interest what is the title of that book? (I ask as someone with a continuing interest in history and who was once an avid train spotter back in the day in Watford.)

[@rudititanic]

​@@philroberts7238 Small world! It's called 'Railways Round the Chilterns', a history of every networked railway in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire. There's so many wonderful stories in both local and railway history that are great to share (as these great videos ably demonstrate).

[@philroberts7238]

@@rudititanic Thanks for that. I'll keep an eye out for it. (Although I suspect copies would be fairly hard to come by out here in Melbourne!)

[@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.

[@pedro1066]

I completely agree that it needs to be a destination for the “average person”. But I do wish that they would understand that they can also be a destination for people who take it a bit more seriously.

[@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

[@Trainguyrom]

I always found the Dwight D Eisenhower to be the crown jewel of the NRM's collection. Oh wait, wrong A4 at the wrong National Railroad Museum 😜 If you ever visit the Midwestern states, I would highly recommend both Mid Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom Wisconsin for it's impressive wood-side rolling stock collection and restoration program, the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon Wi (basically Green Bay) if nothing but to hear you pronounce Ashwaubenon and talk about our only A4, and you could film a year's worth of videos talking about the collection at the Illinois Railway Museum because their collection is absolutely massive and incredible

[@christophervalkoinen6358]

You missed one huge part of the development. The central hall will include a new gallery devoted to the future of the railways.

[@lmm]

I found finding concrete plans for great hall, and the timescale very difficult, so gave an overview and left it.

[@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.

[@flo112jf]

First one nice video ❤ Thank the Lord ❤ Greetings from Germany ✌🏻

[@MePeterNicholls]

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

[@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.

[@realcanadian67]

Now the question is, what is the best load/lode star? The truck or the train?

[@andyaccount]

I've been there twice now, both times for my birthday. I hadn't really noticed the 'drip-trays' on the roof in Station Hall or the state of the roof. When I went the HST/Inter-City 125 'Sir Kenneth Grange' hadn't been delivered yet but I have actually seen it a couple of times in service. First time I was a bit surprised seeing it in the original colour scheme (or close approximation) as I had grown up seeing these from when they were first introduced in the 1970's. I thought that the original 'Rocket' was 'on loan' from the Science Museum, all though they are obviously owned by the same company as their logos are very similar. Will it ever be going back to London, not that I have been there for a while now since I was at school when I last went, even though I only live just outside Reading so it's not that far to go.

[@loco4loco]

I been going here since I was very young like 1/2

[@DavidHennessey1984]

Sad, if not criminal, that they did away with the 'works'; that was many a highlight for me whenever I dropped in at the NRM (that's my reference, and I'm sticking to it! 😜). Good to see progress being made on the current redevelopments though.

[@pulsynetic]

Have a pop up to Strathspey, Aviemore. Thats where most of the 'Works' ended up.

[@adamquirke6024]

Hopefully the revamp will actually be worth it and not just some empty or non-railway related buildings added just to fill empty space. Hoping more room for more locomotives, and hoping it wont turn into an art gallery or green lab, give me burning coal and liquid dinosaurs.

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Awesome. Need to go there.

[@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

[@sarahgardiner1649]

They should reinstate the second timetable

[@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.

[@A-Trainspotter-From-Berkshire]

Where will the 313 which the Railway Museum is going to preserve be?

[@joegrey9807]

I hope that the Rocket gets a more prominent place - it should not be stuck in an alcove, it should be there right at the front, with big neon-lit arrows shouting at everyone: 'I'm The Daddy'.

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Is it just me that suspects the whole thing will be dumbed down in a vain effort to interest a bunch of touring school kids, who would far rather be playing Roblox on their phones. They have ruined the Science Museum and what is now the Media Museum and following those successes, the dumbers down have been just itching to get their hands on the Railway Museum to turn it into a interactive space for idiots.

[@joshslater2426]

Museum just isn’t the same anymore. Many locos have moved elsewhere, they want to build new structures and fiddle around with old ones, they shut down the works and this Wonderlab nonsense won’t appeal to anyone who goes there just for the trains. I’ll still go, but I don’t understand why it has to be altered if it was already perfect.

[@paulshirley6383]

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

[@royston600]

It’s always closed they took twice as long as the rest of York to open after covid !

[@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

[@EricH_1983]

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

[@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.

[@thesalopian1389]

That's a great update, thank you. The redevelopment sounds great, though I hope they don't over 'WOKE' it, as other museums have done (the ruined National Army museum and Imperial War Museum spring to mind). Good luck to The Railway museum, I hope it all goes smoothly.

[@FatHead1979]

They've already 'over woked' it by dropping the word 'National' from the name! The previous name made it clear that it was for the whole country, god knows what committee decided that dropping the words 'National' was a good idea!

[@jerry2357]

I hope they don’t dumb it down for children, like the Dutch railway museum at Utrecht. I was very disappointed when I revisited there a few years ago.

[@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.

[@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

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

I would be rather apprehensive about their renovations. I never trust architects of "redesigns" and "renovations" to make anything that looks good - more often than not it tends to look soulless and sterile, which a museum should not be (except maybe for the Science Museum). The royal train section looks good being slightly dingy - it's far more true to life that way.

[@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.

[@prodigalretrod]

Why on earth would they rebrand from "National Railway Museum" to "Railway Museum" - the former indicates its status as the premier railway museum among several in the country, while the later is just a generic term, like calling your restaurant "Restaurant".

[@Heruss100]

Consistent Science Group Branding. We don't refer to the "National Science Museum" or "National Natural History Museum" etc.

[@lp1485le]

👍 Why has it changed its name from National Railway Museum to Railway Museum?

[@tonywright8294]

It will just end up as a theme park .

[@williamhurley2427]

Rather unfortunate timing really given the Scotsman's centenary is this year, and the centenary of the Big Four! It would have been better for the museum to be closed the year after or before such a big landmark anniversary year.

[@railphotoblog]

Wow, this museum is amazing. No, wait... An old japanese bullet train? How did it get to this museum?

[@stevensolway1054]

Hi from Green Bay Wisconsin, where our National RAILROAD Museum also has the 1938 Gresley A4 Eisenhower 60008 since 1964, then in 2013 returned briefly to be in the GRAND GATHERING. But, the new managers here just announced a new plan....but sadly the most recent former managers had made their plans nearly 8 years ago; with a promotional video here on Y.T.....but those designs were flawed, because the C.G.I. was W.R.O.N.G.!!!!! The cgi never showed Any of the trains in our collection!! Also the NRRM is located on the west Bank of the Fox River as the river waves slowly wash ashore. But the cgi shows large ocean type waves. Then the train ride around the grounds is Standard guage, but the cgi shows a narrow guage just like the "Tallylyn"(?) In Wales. These cgi plans also show a new white building shaped like a 1/2 circle Roundhouse. But the interior has a elevated walkway. Sadly, the New Board of Directors is made of local business people yet without any honest railroad experience. Yet in the past in the beginning in 1956 the former Founders were 100% dyed in the wool patriotic American steam locomotive fans who wanted to save this railroad history for future generations, and recently in 2021 was the 65th anniversary.....that passed by but without any mention whatsoever. Yet when the NRRM was started in 1956 it was hailed as Green Bays' second major tourist attraction since the Green Bay Packers football team of the N.F.L. that was one of the Pioneer teams in 1919 and just turned 100 years old. But since most of these Founders have died since 1987, these replacements don't plan ahead. And they hire many outside so-called "Executive Directors" without the railroad experience, nor regular museums. And they are very much against the local model railroad club, and volunteers over the past 35 years have been ruthlessly run off the property. And they have also scrapped and//or sold 37 engines and cars and coaches. The destroyed pieces include the 1934 Plymouth Center cab from the shortline in Missouri, and with 2 Hercules gasoline engines, thus an early example of internal combustion, that predated the Burlington Zephyr Streamliners, thus when it was donated in 1961 it was used briefly to pull our museum train only 1/2 half way around because the 2 bridges weren't finished until 1963, until the centercab broke, then sat rusting outside for the last 20 years of its existence, until destroyed in 1984. Also destroyed was the steam powered crane from the local paper mill until 1963, and driven by its own steam partway but due to its slow 🐌 snails pace had to stop for the night. Then a diesel picked it up to bring it to the museum, and the steamer number 24 2-8-0 pulled it into the grounds, until it was wrecked. Also some of the trains sold, there were the 2 British Pullman dining carriages named "ISLE OF THANET", and "LYDIA" that arrived in 1972 after the 4472 FLYING SCOTSMAN toured America. Sadly 😥, these 2 cars were both vandalized, and weather beaten in winter for nearly 30 years, yet in 1984 some Outside Managers had them repainted with ordinary brown paint, which covered the elegant Gold stripes, and names, and Coat of Arms. Thus in 2001 when the new exhibit hall was built it was much shorter than the McCormick Pavillion, since the British trains were stored inside since 1973, on the Central 3rd track. In 1987 this 3rd track was ripped off, and replaced with a long, wooden walkway, thus removing 460 feet of display track, and leaving only 4 tracks. Also ripping out other needed tracks, leaving very little extra space, because the remaining trains were crammed together like literal sardines!! Then in 2001 the 2 B.R. diners were loaded on flatcars, and shipped back to York and N.R.M. for Prefessional Rebuilding, and displayed with the other steamer from the 1968 Churchill Funeral Train. Yet there even MORE problems in the USA with our N.RR.M. Break!!!!! More news to follow soon!! Thurs., Feb. 2, 2023, A.D.

[@davidderbidge8232]

Hands up who will think it's going to be a pile of shit.the museum had its own mood with its lights and atmosphere and will be lost.and as for why they took out national that's simple they are going to charge

[@davidderbidge8232]

And what's left of the original roundhouse will be gone lost forever

[@samthorpe4532]

Although I do like the railway museum at York, I always wished that Doncaster would have gotten it. It would have made an excellent museum on the site of the old plant works. Such an extensive site which really could have housed a big collection and held regular events. I remember going to event which they had at the plant in the early 2000's. It was a small taste of what could have been.

[@Heruss100]

The museum had existed in one form or another since the 1920s when Gresley began putting old North Eastern Curiosities aside in the redundant York and Midland buildings in the old York station. Doncaster Works still runs today as an active railway site.

[@samthorpe4532]

@@Heruss100 yes, I am well aware of all that. But large chunks of the works have been torn down in recent years which would have made an excellent museum. Its always been a wishful thought of mine.

[@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 :)

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@highpath4776]

I still preferred Clapham for a wider range of transport, went there one weekend for a special there were a number of minature trains running ( 3.5in guage and similar)

[@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

[@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!

[@modeltrainsandtracks]

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

[@squeaksvids5886]

I’m dreading to see what they’ll end up doing. If the Science Museum or the London Transport Museum are anything to go by it’ll be dumbed down to the lowest denominator! 😢

[@keithtanner2806]

What the devil has happened to all the exhibits? It is more than disappointing, it is a travesty. I was around the place in less than 30 mins. Appallingly mis-managed full of model railway exhibits. 🤪😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@jcabral6231]

join the movement, return the much beloved pacers #Ilovepacers #blovedpacers

[@OffTheRailsUK]

I've been there before, absolutely amazing place to be. Although they did block me on Twitter.

[@trainswithnickyt]

I hate to say it, but despite moving to Lincoln way back in 2006, I've never made the trip up to York to visit. Once the renovations are complete though, I fully intend to right this wrong.

[@eze8970]

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

[@ballbag]

I think it's going to be depressing seeing it afterwards. The group doing this stuff has ripped out a fully functional workshop full of tools and is replacing it with.... an art gallery. As a York local who grew up visiting the museum every year, the decisions that are being made is scary. They seem to want to reduce the amount of locos on display and make it all artsy and more about style than substance.

[@graemew7001]

I really liked the Merchant Navy because I never knew how much there was hidden within the shell of a steam loco or how it all actually works. Don't worry about Rocket, if we were that age I'm damned sure that most of our moving parts would have been replaced lol

[@casperreininga3253]

The thing about the Brits is that at least they had the decency of cutting open a locomotive that is part of a class from which many are still happily trundling around in other heritage circles. Compare that to the French and Germans, who used single-class survivors for such demonstrations (The Germans even 3 times over) which just gets my blood boiling that little bit hotter.

[@graemew7001]

@@casperreininga3253 I don't know anything about locomotives but I do agree with your opinion. I'd be just as angry if they did that to a rare car rather than an everyday car where there's plenty about. We Brits are too aware of our heritage to lose the rare stuff.

[@alantunbridge8919]

I visited the original York Railway Museum in the old North zMidland shed in July 1963,rather cramped & display as sucn not particularly inspiring. In October 1970 I visited the NRM in Clapham & thought that this is not the best place for it,but had doubts about its move to York,being far from London,however in retrospect it was sound as York itself is an interesting place to visit. My last visit was in June 1982 & thought using the loco. shed quite appropriate. It is good to see the improvements being done to house & exhibit the collection. I have lived in South Africa since 1973 & as a lifelong railway enthusiast it is good to see Britain’s rich railway heritage well cared for & displayed.

[@Morganstein-Railroad]

Unfortuneatly, I've never been. Call Myself a Rail Fan? How Dare I? Once it's Refurbished, then I will. And I look forward to it eagerly.. Then I'll be able to proudly say, "I Am A Railway Enthusiast!!" and have all my friends Ridicule me with Impunity.

[@VictorGate]

Some years ago, I finished a business meeting in York around 2.30 pm. Question, drive straight back to Surrey and just make Daughters' Carol Service or trip around the Museum? I don't think they missed me at the Carol Service. I do remember Mallard in its working life heading rapidly down Werrington Bank towards the then impressive Great Northern style Peterborough North Station, now an architectural disaster. And that whistle. Would recommend a visit.

[@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!

[@DangerAngelous]

I was going to say Rocket was in the London Science Museum(?) in 2015 when I visited from Australia, maybe she'll go back there for the time being? And that said the day I was at the NRM happened to be Mallard's record anniversary!

[@philkelsall1207]

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