York’s National Railway Museum to reopen Station Hall with old favourites and new gems after £11m facelift

This September marks a major milestone for the National Railway Museum in York, as it celebrates 50 years as the world’s greatest railway museum and reopens the Grade II listed building to the public.

It promises a welcome return for some old favourites and a host of new treats for fans of the age of steam.

Station Hall has long been part of the museum, housing a host of unique tenders and carriages from the glory days of steam engineering. But it’s been under wraps since 2023 to allow for vital work to the building. Now with its brickwork brought out of hiding and glazed entrance letting light flood in, the former goods station has been reimagined whilst retaining its treasured atmosphere which has delighted museum-goers for decades.

Alongside its opulent royal carriages and gleaming locomotives are new exhibits and archive materials which reveal the social history behind a busy station, its people and their journeys.

Re-opening weekend

From Friday, September 26, Station Hall will welcome visitors once again. This begins a weekend of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the museum – the first national museum to be created outside London.

Back in 1975 controversy surrounded the idea of a ‘northern’ national museum, but doubts were soon proved unfounded and over 40 million delighted visitors from across the globe have journeyed to Yorkshire’s capital to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the museum and this weekend promises to be one to remember.

The museum itself has always been free – and remains so, allowing access to the hugely significant national collection. But some activities, including the virtual reality Flying Scotsman experience and Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, the interactive experience which helps families explore the science behind railways are normally paid-for bookable experiences.

For reopening weekend these paywalls are down with tickets being offered for free, but visitors must book a time slot for museum entry and any specific experiences.

There will be family activities throughout the weekend and lots of memorabilia and objects from the archives on display. Visitors can learn more with archive and curator-led tours giving a ‘behind the scenes’ look at Station Hall. Regular visitors will be delighted to learn the outdoor ride-on miniature railway will also be reopening alongside Station Hall, ready to welcome you all aboard, also with free tickets on the birthday weekend.

What’s new at Station Hall?

This goods station adjacent to York Station, has served as a depot and trade hub through which a vast range of goods passed on their way to destinations across the country. In 2023, following a £10.5m grant from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the building closed for a full refurbishment and re-roof. And a £577,000 refresh and redisplay of the exhibition inside has been generously supported by the Friends of the National Railway Museum.

As well as the welcome return of the luxurious Royal carriages to the displays, one of the platforms in Station Hall features an original 1921 WH Smith book stall from London Waterloo station with its windows now displaying memorabilia rather than books. There are new interpretation areas to share archive materials, with audio and video bringing 200 years of the station’s past stories to life.

Visitors can also enjoy a unique afternoon tea experience aboard the Countess of York, a beautifully restored rail carriage set in the heart of the atmospheric gallery space.

Welcome to the booking office

To find out more about the NRM, to book free tickets for the reopening weekend or to book for other days or experiences, visit the website here