National Railway Museum

Overview

The National Railway Museum in York is home to an incredible collection of iconic trains and rail memorabilia. It tells the story of train travel in the UK and how the railway system has impacted our society.

The museum is free to visit and is a fantastic place for all the family, whether you’re a train spotter, a history buff, or just looking for something to do in York. It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours on a rainy day and is excellent for families with small children. The museum won Best Family Attraction in York in the Little Vikings 2025 Awards.

Can you just turn up at the National Railway Museum?

Yes, you can just turn up at the National Railway Museum, although it is recommended to book in advance to save time when you arrive, particularly during busy times such as weekends and school holidays.

How long does it take to get through the National Railway Museum?

You can spend as much time in the National Railway Museum as you like. If you just fancy a quick look round, you can probably see everything in around an hour and a half. However, if you’re very interested in trains or you like to fully take in all the information on offer, you could spend half a day or more exploring the exhibits.

Is the National Railway Museum worth it?

The National Railway Museum is definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in trains or even social history. There’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained, including interactive displays, an indoor play area for younger children, and activities during the school holidays.

Which is the largest railway museum in the world?

The National Railway Museum is the largest railway museum in the world, so it really is a must-visit if you like trains or transport. The museum has two sites – one in York and one in Shildon, in the northeast of England.

Between them, the sites welcome almost a million visitors per year and have over a million objects to look at. You can immerse yourself in over 300 years of history when you visit.

How much is a ticket to the National Railway Museum?

The National Railway Museum is free to visit, and it is open seven days a week.

What trains are at the National Railway Museum?

Some of the star attractions at the National Railway Museum are the locomotives that are on display in the museum’s Station Hall. There are examples of steam and diesel engines, as well as some world-famous trains.

Steam engines here include:

Mallard
Duchess of Hamilton
Rocket (working replica)
Evening Star
Coppernob
Agenoria
Chinese Government Railways steam locomotive
Gladstone
SR Ellerman Lines
South Eastern & Chatham Railway Class steam locomotive
Steam locomotive number 673
Steam locomotive number 245
Great Northern Railway 0-6-OST steam locomotive

Diesel and electric locomotives on display include:

Japanese bullet train
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
British Railways diesel-electric locomotive
Electric locomotive No. 26020

Can I get something to eat at the National Railway Museum?

Yes, there are three cafes at the National Railway Museum where you can get something to eat and a drink:

Station Hall Café: hot meals, salads, deli sandwiches, rice bowls, hot and cold drinks, baked items
Great Hall Café: light bites, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, baked items
Wonderlab Café: sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, baked items, ice creams, milkshakes

If you’d prefer to watch the pennies, you can bring your own food to enjoy during your visit. There are dedicated picnic spaces at the museum where you can sit down and eat, so why not prepare some sandwiches and snacks in the well-equipped self-catering kitchen at YHA York to bring with you?

National Railway Museum at Shildon

The National Railway Museum’s site at Shildon, County Durham, is called Locomotion, and here you can learn even more about the history of our railways in the world’s first railway town.

This museum is also free to visit and features interactive displays, locomotives, and plenty of informative exhibitions. If you love your visit to the National Railway Museum at York, then it’s one to add to your list.

How to get to the National Railway Museum from YHA York

The National Railway Museum is around 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometres) from YHA York.

On foot: It takes around 25 minutes to walk from YHA York to the National Railway Museum.

Cycling: Cycling from YHA York to the National Railway Museum takes approximately seven minutes. There are sheltered bike racks next to the Main Hall entrance.

By public transport: From the Youth Hostel, walk about 12 minutes to Salisbury Road. Catch the 59 bus to Poppleton Bar Park & Ride, alighting at Leeman Road West. From here, it’s about a nine-minute walk to the National Railway Museum. The whole journey should take approximately 24 minutes.

By car: It’s around a five-minute drive from the hostel to the museum. There is a free car park on site with accessible parking.