11/11/2011

Issued by National Railway Museum

Below is a list of confirmed activity for 2011/12. 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

The Art of Advertising
15 October 2011 - 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

Santa's Steam Adventure
19 - 20, 26 - 27 November and 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 23 December 2011.

Santa isn't delivering his presents by reindeer this year - instead he's using a very special steam train at the National Railway Museum.

Visitors of all ages are invited to help Santa with his seasonal task by riding on board his special steam train with him. The journey begins in our Station Hall which has been transformed into Santa's depot filled with presents, games and the museum's toy collection from years gone by.

From here Santa's helpers will then climb onboard a beautiful festive carriage pulled by a steam train to take part in a special interactive story telling adventure. Before the magical steam journey is over, children will meet Santa Claus himself and receive a special present to take home.

Tickets: £7.50 child, £5 adult*

Visit www.nrm.org.uk/PlanaVisit/Events/santasworkshop  or call 0844 815 3139 to book your special visit.

*Includes mince pie and hot drink in our restaurant.

The Institution of Locomotive Engineers: A centenary celebration
From 16 January (Search Engine exhibition)

Explore a fascinating exhibition of archive papers and small objects, celebrating the contribution this 100 year-old institution has made to locomotive engineering.

nrm.org.uk/engineers

Wizard Week
11 - 19 February 2012

The magic returns to the Museum once again with a week of spells, tricks and mischief. See the steam star from the Harry Potter films.* Plus - new for 2012 - spell-binding activities for wizards of all ages:

• All action wizard duels
• Broomstick flying trick photography*
• Best-dressed wizard competition
• ‘Science of magic' spectacular shows
• Stunning owls on display

Admission Free
*A small charge applies

Full details at www.nrm.org.uk/wizardweek

Details could be subject to change.

Fear and Fascination: Art from the dawn of the railways
11 February - 13 May (Art Gallery exhibition)

An intriguing exhibition of some of our earliest prints, cartoons, drawings and paintings. These historic images of Britain's railways capture the mood of a nation conflicted about this new technology.

www.nrm.org.uk/artgallery

The Art Gallery is funded by The Foundation for Sport and the Arts

Easter holidays
31 March - 15 April 2012

Roll your sleeves up and get stuck in with our huge communal art project. Help us to create a huge version of one of our amazing art gallery lithographs, using potato prints and other fun tools. Plus join in our exciting Easter egg hunt.

www.nrm.org.uk/easter

Return of Flying Scotsman
Late spring - dates tbc

2012 will see the highly anticipated return of Flying Scotsman to the Museum following the completion of its restoration project. Look forward to a range of fun events and activities to welcome home this steam legend.

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. Announcements about the locomotives return will be made on www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman  in the coming months.

Railfest 2012
2 - 10 June 2012

Get fired up at Britain's biggest rail celebration, with 9 exhilarating days of amazing activities for all ages*. Experience a grand gathering of over 30 awe-inspiring locomotives including Flying Scotsman, City of Truro, Tornado and many more.

Climb inside drivers' cabs, ride on trains big and small and see toy trains from big brands. Get up close to the fastest, strongest and newest locos, and catch rarely-seen vehicles like snow ploughs and leaf blowers.

For information and tickets, visit www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012  
In association with Rail, Model Railway and Steam Railway