National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum in York is the United Kingdom’s principal national museum for railway history and technology, holding a major collection of locomotives, rolling stock, and railway artefacts. The museum opened in the 1970s and has since become a leading centre for railway preservation.

Created to conserve Britain’s railway heritage, the museum’s collection brings together stock and artefacts from the 19th and 20th centuries, with ongoing conservation and restoration work to preserve operational and static exhibits. Over decades the site has expanded its public programmes and research facilities.

The museum is located in York close to the main railway station, on Leeman Road just northwest of the city centre, and is easily reached on foot from central York.

• Admission and viewing: General admission is free, but some special exhibitions and events may carry a charge; check the museum website for viewing schedules of popular locomotives.
• Location tip: The museum is close to York railway station and is easily walkable from the city centre, making it simple to combine with other York attractions.

What to See #

• Great Hall: The Great Hall is the museum's central display space where a changing selection of locomotives and large rolling stock are exhibited for close viewing.
• Station Hall and galleries: Station Hall and adjacent galleries display smaller artifacts, carriages, and thematic exhibits on railway history, operations, and design.
• Signature locomotives: The National Collection includes famous locomotives such as the world steam-speed record holder **Mallard** and the restored **Flying Scotsman**, presented with interpretation about their engineering and records.