Full steam ahead

IT has thrilled adults and children alike for more than 35 years and its roots go back more than a century further. Now the National Railway Museum has embarked on a new journey which will bring even more visitors to an outstanding Yorkshire attraction.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Jul 2011, 07:00 BST

The £1.3m redevelopment of the station hall, which is due to be completed by next summer, will help secure the future not just of several trains of historic interest, but a vital part of Britain’s engineering heritage.

In an age of deep spending cuts, this type of investment is valuable and entirely justified. It will raise the profile of York and provide an economic boost to the ancient city. It remains a shame, however, that the regional growth fund turned down the museum’s £7m bid which would have provided a third of the funds needed for a separate transformation of the Great Hall.

The museum’s decision to press on with its plans for the Station Hall, however, is the right one. Tourism is a vital part of Yorkshire’s economy and will play a vital part in putting us on track to recovery.