Attraction announces major refurbishment of historic building

The National Railway Museum’s Station Hall, a former goods depot and home to the York attraction’s collection of original royal carriages, is to receive a £500,000 refurbishment.

The Friends of the National Railway Museum charity has raised £300,000 from members to develop and refresh Station Hall’s permanent exhibition, which is housed inside the historic, Grade II listed building.

A working depot until the 1970s, Station Hall is home to six royal carriages, including one of the museum’s most popular exhibits – Queen Victoria’s original 1869 saloon.

The project will redisplay the carriages into complete royal trains matched with period locomotives.

A new addition to the hall will be class 47 locomotive, Prince William, one of a select number of locomotives to have hauled the current royal train.

Due to start in spring 2021, the exhibition refresh will see an estimated 200 new collection items and 25 rail vehicles go on display.

Work is scheduled to be complete by 2022, subject to wider Vision 2025 and York Central activity.

Alongside the new display, the Science Museum Group will provide £200,000 to complete physical improvements to Station Hall’s roof and walls.

Charlotte Kingston, head of interpretation and design, said: “I am hugely grateful to the Friends of the National Railway Museum who have enabled us to create an exciting permanent exhibition which will inform and inspire future generations.

“Station Hall is very popular with our visitors and our changes will be impactful but sympathetic, using new collection items and railway stories to bring the railways to life, while retaining the character of the original building.”

Philip Benham, chairman of the Friends of the National Railway Museum, said: “I am delighted the Friends are the principal funder of this important project.

“Over the years we have contributed more than £1.5m towards some 60 museum projects, but this is one of the most significant yet.

“Stations are where passengers first meet the railway, and the scene for many individual encounters and dramas.

“The Friends are excited to have this opportunity to help the museum tell their important story anew, together with the equally vital stories of the men and women who worked at stations, or simply passed through them.”

Station Hall is a popular venue for corporate dinners, award ceremonies and weddings.

In 2019 more than 60 events took place in the hall with over 10,000 guests attending. The new plans for Station Hall will retain an event space and refurbished café.

Built in 1877, Station Hall is one of a collection of original railway buildings that make up the National Railway Museum’s estate.

This includes Great Hall, which was originally an engine shed, a goods weighbridge and office which is now home to the Friends of the National Railway Museum, and a collection of original stables which are undergoing a separate refurbishment.

The Station Hall project will take place alongside the museum’s £55.3m, Vision 2025 masterplan which will see the comprehensive regeneration of the museum and surrounding area.