I called in at the National Railway Museum in York a couple of days ago. It is a while since I've been, and I know there are a lot of changes taking place, so that seemed like a good excuse to go.
There are two main halls, and one of them, the Station Hall, is closed until 2024 while the roof is renewed, and as a result other facilities in that half of the museum are also not accessible. There was also a large well equiped workshop to overhaul the locomotives that are kept in working order for use on the main line, but that has also closed and is being converted into a 'Wonderlab', an interactive experience to stimulate the curiosity and imagination of visitors. It is due to open in July.
That left the open store of small exhibits, and the main hall. Some of the locomotives have been moved around, giving new photo opportunities, This shot shows 'Mallard' which set the world speed record for a steam locomotive in 1938, a record which still stands.
'Mallard' today is a sleeping giant. It last worked in 1988, as part of the 50th anniversary of its speed record, and attracted large crowds. There is still evidence of its excursions at the railway station in York, where there is a black patch on the roof above platform 5, just south of the footbridge, where 'Mallard' stood waiting for the signal to depart, releasing black sooty smoke and created the black patch on the roof.
'Mallard' does make occasional outings from the museum, usually towed by a diesel locomotive. Its last outing was only as far as York railway station, to take part in the launch of new Azuma trains on the east coast route, on 30th July 2019. You can see a photo of Mallard's day out here -
https://365project.org/fishers/365/2019-07-31
Meanwhile at the museum, 'Mallard' slumbers on. Perhaps one day she will be overhauled and work again. It is a very impressive sight to see this locomotive working hard at speed on the main line, and attracting crowds to see it.
I was completed discombobulated until Hubby piped up that he had been reading Steam Railway Magazine to him as a bedtime story!! LOL
The Wonderlab sounds great, I’ve put it on my list to visit the next time I’m up there.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
There are several other locomotives of this type which are preserved, some in working order. A few years ago one of them ('Bittern') was given special permission to run on the main line at up to 90 mph (145 kph) and I was fortunate to see it at high speed passing through Doncaster railway station, a most impressive sight.
Ian
I think the railway museum might need a bit of persuading, they seem to have become rather reluctant to let their locomotives out to play after the huge cost of restoring 'Flying Scotsman' for use on the main line!
Ian
Now why didn't I think of that? I was allowed to read the Rev W Awdry railway stories to my daughters when they were little.
Ian
Yes indeed! During lockdowns Katharine and I videoed ourselves reading the railway stories for our grandchildren, as a way of keeping in touch with them!
Ian
I did, and I've been reading about it recently. I particularly liked the 'Locos in a Different Light' evening as part of the Illuminating York event. There were some wonderful bits of illumination of thes marvellous locomotives.
Ian
Thank you Vesna. I have a photo of this steam engine next to a modern electric train, and the front of them is quite simular.
Ian
Thank you Judith. There was something quite graceful about this locomotive working.
Ian