National Railway Museum

07/08/2026

What happens to railways when the weather gets hotter? ☀️

Discover the answers at the ‘Summer Rail Garden’, created by Network Rail.

From buckled rails and sagging overhead lines, to shrinking embankments and overheating equipment, explore how hot, dry weather affects Britain’s railway and learn about the innovative ways the industry is adapting to build a more resilient railway for the future.

Originally on display at London Victoria, the Summer Rail Garden can now be seen outside Station Hall. Come and explore on your next visit!

Find out more using the link below 😊⬇️

https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/about-us/press-office/summer-railway-garden

06/08/2026

🥤Cool down with something new this summer!

Slushes and bubble tea have arrived at our Great Hall and Wonderlab cafés. Choose from refreshing strawberry or blue raspberry slushes, or mix and match your favourite tea and popping pearl flavours to create your perfect bubble tea.

Which one are you trying first? 😋

05/08/2026

🎭 Come on down to the show!

Experience the magic of the British seaside with free Punch and Judy shows for the whole family this August.

Join us in Station Hall on Tuesday 18, Friday 21 and Tuesday 25 August to enjoy the fun.

Plus, design your very own Punch and Judy characters as part of our Get Away for Day programme! Follow the trail in your Summer Passport to get involved.

Book your free museum admission tickets now and enjoy a summer full of family fun at the National Railway Museum ☀️🎟️

04/08/2026

Behind the Move: Columbine | Part 4 🔗

We’re going behind the scenes to document the move of Columbine, an 18-tonne steam engine from to the National Railway Museum.

This time, two low-loaders arrive at the National Railway Museum – one carrying Columbine, the other carrying its tender, which has travelled separately from near Swindon.

Our Rail Operations team, along with specialist contractors carefully winch both parts onto the rails, where the locomotive and tender are reunited for the first time in 26 years.

Follow along to see the final part of the series, where Columbine is shunted into the museum 😊

01/08/2026

Happy Yorkshire Day! 💛💙

Celebrate this Yorkshire Day with a visit to the National Railway Museum, right in the heart of York.

From iconic locomotives and fascinating railway stories, to hands-on family fun, there’s plenty to discover at one of Yorkshire’s favourite free attractions. Book your free museum admission tickets today and make your next family day out one to remember.

Looking to bring a piece of Yorkshire home with you? Why not browse our collection of Yorkshire railway posters on our online shop using the link below! 🚂

👉 https://shop.sciencemuseum.org.uk/collections/yorkshire-posters

'Knaresborough, Yorkshire', BR poster, 1954 ©️ The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum Group

29/07/2026

🚅 Join us for free storytelling!

From Tuesday 11 – Thursday 13 August, step aboard Shinkansen for an immersive, bespoke storytelling adventure, exploring the unique power of the railway to connect people, places and culture ✨

Storytelling sessions will take place at 11.00, 12.30 and 14.30 – book your free museum admission tickets now to join the fun! 😊

28/07/2026

Behind the Move: Columbine | Part Three 🏗️

We’re taking a behind-the-scenes look at the move of Columbine, a steam engine built in 1845, from the Science Museum to the National Railway Museum.

In Part Three, our teams, along with specialist contractors Allelys are still working through the night as they carefully lower Columbine from the Science Museum’s loading bay to the road below, ready for its journey out of South Kensington.

Make sure you’re following along for Part Four, where Columbine’s engine and tender are reunited for the first time in 26 years 😊

28/07/2026

Our sister museum, Locomotion, has just released an extra day of tickets for Flying Scotsman train rides!

You can now experience the world's most-famous steam engine from Saturday 1 August - including an extremely limited number of the ever-popular Footplate Experiences, giving you the unique experience to ride in the cab of Flying Scotsman.

Don't miss out - book your tickets now 🔗⬇️

https://www.locomotion.org.uk/whats-on/flying-scotsman-experiences

🎉 Good news – extra Flying Scotsman tickets have been released!

By popular demand, we are starting our Flying Scotsman train rides early, with tickets now available for Saturday 1 August!

Don’t miss out – book your tickets to ride behind the world’s most-famous steam engine now using the link below! 🚂😊

https://www.locomotion.org.uk/whats-on/flying-scotsman-experiences

27/07/2026

🚂 1 week to go!

From Monday 3 – Wednesday 5 August, mini engineers can get creative with Trainmaster North & East Yorkshire. Build your own track layouts, be inspired by challenge cards, and watch motorised trains travel around your creations.

Join us in Great Hall from 10,30 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 16.30 to build, play and explore! 🛤️

Find out more using the link below ✨

https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/summer-holiday-fun