February, 2014 – Graham Miln

National Railway Museum

We were surrounded by train engines, carriages, and history. The National Railway Museum in York, UK, was wonderful.

I did not know what to expect. What we encountered was more than I imagined possible. Two huge warehouses full of beautifully maintained and explained railway engines and carriages. The scale of the exhibits was as much the focus as the individual items.

A sense of humour crept into a few exhibits. In particular we laughed at some of the railway food posters and museum signage. It was clearly deliberate humour, subtle, and very well done.

The other vistors fell squarely into two age groups. Those bringing young children for a day out and an older set of mainly men. Enthusiasts wandering between the the engines delighting at the giant hulks of metal on show.

Japanese bullet train engine
Japanese bullet train engine

Inside a Japanese bullet train
Inside a Japanese bullet train

Eurostar engine
Eurostar engine

Partial wheel of train engine
Partial wheel of train engine

Full size cut aways showing the engine’s workings
Full size cut aways showing the engine’s workings

Full size cut aways showing the engine’s workings
Full size cut aways showing the engine’s workings

Model of The Rocket
Model of The Rocket

Train signs
Train signs

High speed steam trains
High speed steam trains

Mallard, a record setting train
Mallard, a record setting train

Mallard, a record setting train
Mallard, a record setting train

Longest train station sign in the UK
Longest train station sign in the UK

A treasure trove of artefacts
A treasure trove of artefacts

An engine in for repairs and restoration
An engine in for repairs and restoration

Engine workshop
Engine workshop

“Press to hear Hammering” – but why?
“Press to hear Hammering” – but why?

Royal Trains

A second warehouse was home to a selection of Royal carriages. Between each train was a seating area and cafe. A few too many cafes but they were all busy and maybe provided a welcome resting place for tired partners of those enthusiasts captivated elsewhere.

British flags draping over the platforms

The British Royal family member associated with each train
The British Royal family member associated with each train

Inside a royal carriage
Inside a royal carriage

A full bathroom within a royal carriage
A full bathroom within a royal carriage

Pipework inside the driver’s cabin
Pipework inside the driver’s cabin

Parcels waiting to be loaded
Parcels waiting to be loaded

Fun facts and stories are inscribed on the windows
Fun facts and stories are inscribed on the windows