Historic exhibition space to reopen at railway museum following £10.5m refurb
The National Railway Museum, in York, says it will reopen its Station Hall in September this year, following completion of a £10.5m refurbishment project.
The exhibition space has been closed to the public since 2023. The former goods station and Grade II listed building represents around a third of the museum’s exhibition space.
When it reopens it will have refreshed interior decoration and new collection items, alongside returning favourites such as the royal carriages.
Station Hall, before the refurbishments began. Credit: Science Museum Group.
The building has received a new roof, fitted with energy-efficient solar panels, new full-length rear windows and enhanced lighting.
Station Hall’s programme of conservation and repair work has been funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport
Its refreshed exhibition has been made possible by a generous donation from lead funders, Friends of the National Railway Museum.
Station Hall will also host a new dining experience, with visitors able to book afternoon tea aboard a former London & South Western Railway dining saloon carriage, built in 1907 and restored by the museum.
The museum’s outdoor play area and miniature railway will reopen alongside Station Hall.
Further improvements will start in 2025 on the museum’s welcome building, gallery and café, Central Hall, the next and most significant stage of a £100m masterplan of improvement and investment.
The museum turns 50 in 2025 and it will celebrate its 50th birthday in tandem with the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.
The National Railway Museum and Locomotion are key partners in Railway 200, a nationwide campaign to celebrate 200 years since the first fare-paying passenger journey on the Stockton and Darlington Line on 27 September 1825 – widely regarded as the birth of the modern railway.
The same date was chosen to open the National Railway Museum, the first national museum outside of London, in 1975.
Credit: Science Museum Group
Craig Bentley became interim director of the National Railway Museum in January. He said: “I stepped on board as director at the start of one of the most exciting years in the history of the railways.
“We have a truly exciting programme of activity ahead, and through our partnership with Railway 200, we are thrilled to be at the heart of a national celebration of the past, present and future of the railways.
“I can’t think of a better 50th birthday present than a restored and revitalised Station Hall.
“I know how keen our visitors are to see the results of our hard work inside the space – with plenty of surprises still to reveal as we approach the reopening.”
