03/08/2011

Below is a list of confirmed activity for 2011/2012. We will also be running free fun family activities throughout all school holidays including daily science shows in the Learning Platform featuring the chance to launch an elephant into space and launch a doll from a steam rocket.

Background about the NRM

The National Railway Museum in York is responsible for conserving and interpreting the British national collection of railway vehicles and other artefacts. Our vast collections include over 100 locomotives (including record-breakers and world-firsts) and 180 tonnes of archive material - including posters, works of art, film and photographs. The Museum is a fantastic free day out with an action-packed events programme running throughout the year and we regularly attract over 850,000 visitors each year.

The Programme

737 and Topaz Exhibition
On display now

Don't miss this display of Wainwright D Class No 737 and Topaz exhibited together in the Great Hall. This new interpretation puts the spotlight on two unsung stars of the collection and provides a fantastic opportunity to bring the story of this beautiful loco and famous carriage alive.

Admission Free

Celebration Art
From 25 June 2011

In celebration of a ten year relationship with the Modern Transportation Museum in Osaka and the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in Kyoto, children (aged up to 11) from the United Kingdom and Japan created drawings or paintings on the theme of trains and journeys. These artworks have recently been exhibited at both museums in Japan and we are now delighted to showcase them here.

From steam locomotives to high speed trains, and detailed close-ups to fantasy landscapes, the variety of the works is wonderful. This is matched by great vibrancy, colour and passion. Come and see the artwork for yourself at this fantastic new exhibition in Search Engine.

Admission Free

Mallard returns to York
From 22 July

Welcome back our record breaking engine Mallard, as she returns to display at the National Railway Museum this summer. Step on to the footplate from 2 August and chat to our Explainers to find out fascinating facts about this iconic locomotive. There's also plenty of outdoor fun including steam rides* and playground to keep the kids entertained throughout the school holidays.

Admission Free
*A charge applies

Summer fun
23 July - 4 September

The Museum is bursting with indoor and outdoor activities this summer:

• Family fun
• Daily talks
• Steam rides* and miniature railway rides*
• Explosive science shows
• interactive storytelling
• Live theatre
• Outdoor play area

Admission Free
*A charge applies

Art Gallery
Open now

The NRM will be launching a new art gallery space in 2011. The new space will showcase an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions of our unseen art collection and art works from across the world, inspired by the railways. The National Railway Museum art collection comprises 7000 posters, 3061 prints and engravings and 1049 Paintings.
Upcoming exhibitions:

Japan's First Railway: Colour woodblock prints from the 1870s
18 July - 30 September*

A rare opportunity to see beautiful Japanese wood-block prints showing the excitement surrounding the introduction of the railways to Japan. This is the first exhibition in the new Art Gallery and an un-missable opportunity to see
these colourful and fascinating prints, which are on loan from Japan's Modern Transport Museum, Osaka. For further details visit www.nrm.org.uk/artgallery

*Please note dates and activities could be subject to change, visit our website or call the Museum before making a special journey.

The Art of Advertising
15 October 2011 - 28 January 2012

Explore the subtle art of advertising in this exhibition of posters commissioned by the London Midland & Scottish Railway Company (LMS) in 1924 from 16 Royal Academicians. Comparing and contrasting the artists' usual work (on loan from the Tate and other Yorkshire collections) to the poster artwork, this exhibition looks at the effectiveness of taking a fine art approach to poster design. It will be displayed in the National Railway Museum's brand new Art Gallery and forms part of the Art in Yorkshire supported by Tate project**.

**Art in Yorkshire - supported by Tate, is a year long celebration of the visual arts in 19 galleries throughout Yorkshire. Works from Tate's Collection of historic, modern and contemporary art will be showcased through a compelling programme of exhibitions and events. Visit Yorkshire.com for full details of the venues and programme
Art Gallery funded by The Foundation for Sport and the Arts

Admission free
*Dates could be subject to change

Railway Posters at Explore York.
8 September

Meet the National Railway Museum's assistant curator Lorna Frost as she talks more about the history and designs produced on railway posters of the past as part of this year's BIG CITY READ event in York.

To book a place and for more information, check out the Explore York webpage. http://www.york.gov.uk/leisure/Libraries/whatson/bcr2011/

A porter's guided tour of Station Hall
Saturday 10 September (11:00 and 14:00)

Come along on our ‘Porter's life' guided tour of Station Hall with guide Russell Holloway to learn what working as a railway porter was really like. "Meet and greet royalty, wave goodbye to happy holidaymakers and discover how to get the best tips from rich passengers." Part of this year's BIG CITY READ event in York.

No booking required and entry is free.

 

Signalling School demonstration
17 September

Detect for yourself how messages were passed by the railway as part of this year's BIG CITY READ event in York. Discover what happened in railway signal boxes, and learn about the secret codes that signal men had to understand. And head upstairs to the Workshop balcony to see how signalmen work today. Warehouse 11:00-12:30 and 13:30-15:30).

No booking needed and entry is free.

Steam and diesel shuttle weekends
17 - 18 and 24 - 25 September

A unique opportunity to travel between the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shildon, via atmospheric steam and diesel shuttles linking both sites.
The shuttles will run over two weekends, and be pulled by a selection of locomotives: Royal Class 47 Prince William, No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell and either No. 30777 Sir Lamiel, No.5972 Olton Hall or No. 4472 Flying Scotsman.
Take in the sights, sounds and smells of operating steam and diesel engines, and sit back and relax as we transport you along the North East line to your destination. Stops along the way include Northallerton, and Darlington North Road - where you can enjoy free admission to the Head of Steam Museum on both weekends.

For further details including times, prices and ticket details, visit
www.nrm.org.uk/shuttle  

LMS Photography Event
24 September 2011
An opportunity to photograph LMS locomotives and other iconic engines from our Collection. This after-hours photography event gives you a rare opportunity to photograph a number of visiting and National Railway Museum locomotives from our LMS Steam Weekend (24 - 25 September 2011).
Locomotives already confirmed are:
• LMS Princess Royal Class No.6201 Princess Elizabeth
• LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T No. 42085
• Our own LMS 4-6-0 5MT Class, No 5000 ‘Black 5' (which will be taken outside for the first time in many years)
The locomotives will be on display in our South Yard area, with some of the engines appearing in light steam for the event.
The event takes place between 18:30 - 21:00. Tickets cost £15. For further information contact 01904 685724.
If you live near our sister Museum, Locomotion in Shildon, you can enjoy a photography evening on Friday 23 September, from 17:30 to 19:30. Admission to the event is £8, tickets need to be booked in advance on 01388 771439.
Why not get snap-happy and attend both events for just £20.

LMS Steam Weekend
24 - 25 September 2011

Get into the steam spirit at both National Railway Museum sites. With magnificent LMS engines at York, you can also enjoy cab access and steam rides* on selected locomotives. Visit www.nrm.org.uk/lmsweekend for full details of exact activities at each site.

Admission to the museum is free
*A small charge applies

Big Fun with Little Trains
22 - 30 October

Make a play date for our fantastic week of toys, models and rides. The whole family can get stuck in, with pedal train driving for kids, and mini rail rides for
grown-ups who want to feel like kids again. Plus model layouts, hands-on toys of all shapes and sizes, and much more. Kindly sponsored by Hornby.

Visit www.nrm.org.uk/halfterm  to make your play date

Admission Free

Locos in a different light
29 October 6.30 - 9pm

See the collection brought to life with amazing colour and lighting. A unique chance to see locomotives as you've never seen them before, as part of our third annual lighting competition.

Admission Free

Santa's Workshop
19 - 20 and 26 - 27 November. Every weekend in December (last visit 23 December)

Take a magical miniature train ride to Santa's workshop* where you will discover the Museum's toy collection from years gone by. Meet the Explainers to make your seasonal gift and receive a special present to take home**. Gaze at the twinkling turntable when Santa turns on the Christmas lights, enjoy enchanting storytelling sessions and be amazed by explosive science shows.

Visit www.nrm.org.uk/christmas
** See website for ticket prices

Wizard Week
11 - 19 February 2012

The magic returns to the Museum once again with a week of spells, tricks and mischief. Ride the steam star from the Harry Potter movies* and enjoy fun
family activities.

Admission Free
*A small charge applies
Visit www.nrm.org.uk/wizardweek

 

Railfest 2012
2 - 10 June 2012

Feel the energy at this huge celebration of Britain's railways to mark the Olympic year. Get up close to record-breaking locomotives, ride on trains big and small, climb inside drivers' cabs and stand on footplates. Plus trade stalls, hands-on family activities and much more.

Railfest 2012 will be a paid admission event (charges TBC), although we'll continue to offer free admission to the rest of the Museum throughout the nine-day event.

In association with RAIL, Steam Railway and Model Railway.

www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012