Housed in former railway buildings close to York station, the National Railway Museum is free to visit and has a collection spanning more than 200 years of railway history. Highlights include an original turntable, six royal carriages including Queen Victoria’s richly-decorated royal saloon of 1869 and Mallard – the world’s fastest steam locomotive.
Since opening in 1975, the National Railway Museum has made numerous TV and film appearances, with the royal carriages featuring as a location in the 2017 film Victoria and Abdul.
The museum also owns the world’s most famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman which starred in its own feature film in 1929. This black and white thriller saw daring stunts taking place onboard a speeding train and although Flying Scotsman is offsite for an overhaul at the moment, it will return for a visit in 2023 to celebrate the engine’s centenary.
The National Railway Museum’s South Yard and replica steam locomotive Rocket recently appeared in an episode of Gentleman Jack 2. As well as the original Rocket, which was built in 1829, the museum has two Rocket replicas – one of which is operational. Built for Rocket’s 150th anniversary in 1979, the operational replica hauls a train with two carriages based on those used on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway which opened in 1830.
The locomotive and carriages are on display in the museum, alongside more than 10,000 items that tell the story of railway history and engineering. See the museum website for further information:
Location
Leeman Rd
York
YO26 4XJ
