Royalty is returning to York this week, as one of our most popular attractions enjoys a double celebration.
Princess Anne will be at the National Railway Museum on Thursday as the venue marks its 50th birthday by unveiling its newly-refurbished Station Hall.
The Princess Royal will be the VIP guest at a reception to mark both events.
Guests will get the first chance to see Station Hall following its £11 million transformation.
It will reopen to the public on Friday (26 February) ready for the NRM’s Birthday Weekend celebrations.
A museum spokesperson said: “Join us over our birthday weekend as we reopen Station Hall after an extensive refurbishment – restored, refreshed and ready to explore. But that’s not all.
“We’re also giving you a fantastic birthday present by unlocking areas of the museum not usually open to visitors for exclusive tours. Plus enjoy expert talks, cab access, Wonderlab, Flying Scotsman VR and the Miniature Railway, all completely free!”
Find out more about the birthday weekend here.
Built in the 1870s, Station Hall was once home to York’s main goods station and was a working railway right up until the 1960s.
The refurbished hall will include a refreshed exhibition.
The NRM says: “Step into the bustling station world, rich with advertising and station signage. Discover the opulence of royal carriages and the influence the royals had on train travel, from the first on-train toilets to air conditioning and umbrella holders to make travelling by rail comfortable and luxurious.
“Peek into Queen Victoria’s richly decorated carriage and spot the bath tub in King Edward VII Saloon carriage.
“Ever wondered how the railways changed everyday lives? In work and play, the stories told in Station Hall are about the people and journeys made through British stations over the past 200 years, and the transformative power of rail from commuting to holiday making and more.
“And within this former goods station, you can explore the weird and wonderful freight that’s passed through this station and many others.”
The next stage of the National Railway Museum developments is to create the new Central Hall, straddling the closed Leeman Road, to join the two sides of the attraction together.
The building is scheduled to open to the public in 2027.
