08/11/2011

Issued by National Railway Museum

With Christmas & New Year just round the corner, the National Railway Museum in York is looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Highlights include a magical Wizard Week with the steam star of the Harry Potter movies, the return of Flying Scotsman, Britain's biggest rail celebration; Railfest, and a year-long programme of railway inspired art exhibitions.

In February, witches and wizards will descend upon York to attend the Museum's spellbinding February half term event, Wizard Week (11 - 19 February). The big star of the event is set to be the locomotive from the Harry Potter movies, Olton Hall, with visitors to the 9 day event having the chance to get up close to this rail celebrity. Visitors can also enjoy a cauldron-load of wizard fun with magic performances, owl displays, action-packed science shows and craft activities. Children and adults are encouraged to get into the spirit by dressing-up as their favourite witch or wizard. Admission to the event will be free with a small charge for some activities.

Late spring will see the highly anticipated return of Flying Scotsman to the Museum following the completion of its restoration project. The world famous locomotive was purchased for the nation in 2004 with the help of a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and generous donations from the public. Since 2006, the National Railway Museum has been restoring the locomotive to full mainline running condition, so that it can once again pull trains around the UK. The exact date of its return to the Museum and mainline operations is yet to be confirmed, but announcements will be made on www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman  in the coming months.

Helen Ashby, Head of Knowledge and Collections at the National Railway Museum, said:
"As we get closer to the return of Flying Scotsman, the excitement is certainly starting to build and we hope that train fans of all ages will join us in celebrating this historic occasion. The plans are still being finalised, but we can guarantee a range of fun events and activities to welcome home this steam legend".

Members of the public are also encouraged to save the dates 2 - 10 June 2012 for the Museum's Railfest event which will see an enormous space the size of 11 football pitches filled with iconic locomotives and railway-related activities. Britain's biggest rail celebration will bring together over 30 record-breaking locomotives from the smallest and largest to the newest and oldest, with visitors having the opportunity to get even closer with access to the engine drivers cab, rides behind operating engines and much more. Railfest 2012 will be a paid admission event and tickets are expected to go on sale in the New Year with a discount for advance bookings. Further information and updates can be found at www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012.  

Helen said:
"Railfest 2012 is set to be one of the biggest events we've ever held at the National Railway Museum and we're planning a whole host of activities and displays for all ages. Our 2004 Railfest proved to be a huge success by attracting over 60,000 visitors and we're hoping to top this in 2012 by providing an even bigger and better event. Make sure you keep an eye on our website for further exciting updates".

Throughout the year there will also be a number of intriguing exhibitions inspired by railways in the Museum's new Art Gallery. Opening February 2012, the exhibition titled ‘Fear and Fascination' explores some of the Museum's earliest prints, cartoons, drawings and paintings from the dawn of the railways. Further information upcoming exhibitions can be found at www.nrm.org.uk/artgallery.  

For more information about the National Railway Museum, please visit www.nrm.org.uk.  Admission to the Museum is free.

ENDS