What are three must-see railway attractions in the UK ?

[darrel]

To be honest it's hard to pick 3 and there have been some great suggestions though some have picked 3 that are at different ends of the country.

So my suggestions are based upon a tight geographical area, taking into account you have said you will be hiring a car and you will want to keep your wife happy.

Firstly I would find accommodation in York, it's a Beautiful city with a fabulous Cathedral and lots of nice small shops. Your wife could go shopping while you visit the first of my suggestions.

 

1. National Railway Museum. It has been suggested by other people but quite simply it's a must see.

 

2. Keighley and Worth valley railway nice little railway and lovely scenery have a walk round the village at Haworth your wife will love it. A few miles away is the Embsay steam railway as well.

 

3. This is actually two suggestions but both can be done in a day. Shildon the out station for the national railway museum. And North Road station Darlington now a small railway museum.

 

Also in the area if you are staying inYork is the North Yorkshire Moors railway,

Middleton railway in Leeds

If you are visiting in the summer there is the Scarbourgh spa express from York to Scarborough steam hauled service only runs certain dates.

 

Or alternatively if you wished to come to Scotland there is the Forth Bridge, Boness and Kineiel railway Glasgow Riverside museum and the west highland line you can get the jacobite steam service from fort William to Mallaig

[lmsforever]

Agree about KWVR   ,Severn Valley  Nth Yorks Moors    not to sure about Nat Museum its been made a bit simplistic plus they are selling off to much, a good day out is the Risboro and Chinnor (have a vested interest here )

[brian777999]

Regards the National Museum : what are they selling off and who is buying it ?

[Guest]

How about the combined Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways? The UK's oldest working steam locomotive (Prince of 1864 - a tremendously charismatic loco with a gutsy performance that belies its age), the UK's first bogie carriages in beautiful condition, NGG16 Garratts hauling 10 coach trains up 1-in-40 gradients, double and single Fairlies, the Aberglaslyn Pass, mountains, lakes......what's not to like?

 

David

That title goes to this beastie:

 

http://www.furnessrailwaytrust.org.uk/fr20.htm

 

Regards,

Matt

[Clearwater]

I think there are some pretty harsh assessments of the NRM above. I went fairly frequently in the early 80s and have visited 3/4 times over the last three years. In my view, it has improvised immeasurably and, in common with a lot of modernised uk museums, is world class in how it presents and handles its exhibits. I do, however, agree that if you are already at expert level it may not be as good an experience as a specialist museum but let's remember it's targeted at a mass market, not a niche.

 

Compared to days of yore, footplate access is great, things like the viewing gallery of the maintenance facility linked to displays / AVs on the old railway works, the on board rail videos in the 1980s carriages, the "goods shed" area weaving a railway carriage style cafeteria to exhibits and the Pullman car for afternoon tea are all excellent ways to engage. The ww1 ambulance display is also excellent and marries av and display in an extremely effective way:

 

To me, and I suspect others here, the highlight is the stores area where you can wander for hours viewing the catalogued exhibits including the signal training layout and countless large scale models, nameplates and other railwayana.

 

What it doesn't have is full scale locos in steam. Therefore if on a trip, it's worth combining with the comparatively local KWVR or NYMR. I'd also say York is probably worth a visit anyway - perhaps a base for three/four nights to do the railways as suggested plus the Minster, Jorvik etc

 

David

[Karhedron]

If visiting York, a short hop across to Leeds to visit the Royal Armouries is also highly recommended. It's a great part of the country with lots to see and do (besides just the railways ).

[Fenman]

I think there are some pretty harsh assessments of the NRM above. ...

 

To me, and I suspect others here, the highlight is the stores area where you can wander for hours viewing the catalogued exhibits including the signal training layout and countless large scale models, nameplates and other railwayana. ...

 

I completely agree with you.

 

And that's also why I think Locomotion at Shildon is a great day out for people like us - it's the equivalent of wandering through a truly massive museum storeroom. I actually prefer it to the NRM (though I love the NRM).

 

Paul

[pete_mcfarlane]

I think there are some pretty harsh assessments of the NRM above. I went fairly frequently in the early 80s and have visited 3/4 times over the last three years. In my view, it has improvised immeasurably and, in common with a lot of modernised uk museums, is world class in how it presents and handles its exhibits. I do, however, agree that if you are already at expert level it may not be as good an experience as a specialist museum but let's remember it's targeted at a mass market, not a niche.

 

It's always a good day out, and I don't understand some of the criticisms level at it on this thread. It's true that there are fewer locos on display there than in the past, but that's because some of them are now at the second site at Shildon or out on loan (the prototype HST powercar for example). It does make the place feel slightly less cramped than it did when I first visited the place in 1986 (which is apparently 30 years ago).

 

To me, and I suspect others here, the highlight is the stores area where you can wander for hours viewing the catalogued exhibits including the signal training layout and countless large scale models, nameplates and other railwayana.

I'm always impressed by the cases full of 7mm scale LNWR models, all of which are of an incredibly high standard. 

[Steamport Southport]

I've got to agree with the knocking of the NRM.

 

Terrible place when you compare it to what it was like 30 years ago. Most of the interesting stuff is elsewhere when there are plenty of empty roads around the turntable, probably to justify the existence of Shildon.

 

Regular activities that are not even railway based. I visited a couple of years ago and it was all about China, not Chinese railways, but Chinese culture.

 

Major locomotives and rolling stock neglected, sold or scrapped. Examples? LMS 502, NSR 0-6-2T No2, Nord de Glehn Compound 4-6-0 and Eustace Forth. According to the latest Steam Railway they've dumped 500 major exhibits over the last 10 years.

 

If anyone wants to buy any of OUR heritage then look here. https://group.sciencemuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/NRM_May-2016-to-advertise.pdf

 

 

I wouldn't give the time of day to that so called museum anymore.

 

 

Jason

[caradoc]

I completely agree with you.

 

And that's also why I think Locomotion at Shildon is a great day out for people like us - it's the equivalent of wandering through a truly massive museum storeroom. I actually prefer it to the NRM (though I love the NRM).

 

Paul

 

I agree re Locomotion; I visited for the first time last month and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would also rate it more highly than the NRM at York, which I still think is superb however. The only reason I didn't list Locomotion as a Top Three attraction is the abysmal train service at Shildon, which is 2-hourly for most of the day. 

[adb968008]

I've got to agree with the knocking of the NRM.

 

Terrible place when you compare it to what it was like 30 years ago. Most of the interesting stuff is elsewhere when there are plenty of empty roads around the turntable, probably to justify the existence of Shildon.

 

Regular activities that are not even railway based. I visited a couple of years ago and it was all about China, not Chinese railways, but Chinese culture.

 

Major locomotives and rolling stock neglected, sold or scrapped. Examples? LMS 502, NSR 0-6-2T No2, Nord de Glehn Compound 4-6-0 and Eustace Forth. According to the latest Steam Railway they've dumped 500 major exhibits over the last 10 years.

 

If anyone wants to buy any of OUR heritage then look here. https://group.sciencemuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/NRM_May-2016-to-advertise.pdf

 

 

I wouldn't give the time of day to that so called museum anymore.

 

 

Jason

 

There's a model railway listed in that lot... oo gauge layout of Horsted Keynes.

[darrel]

Anyway forget the argument over whether the NRM is better or worse than it was 30 years ago. We are supposed to be suggesting places for the OP to visit. I'm guessing it's his first ever visit to the UK. So is it worth him visiting the NRM? Yes definitely. If you were going to a country you had never visited before and found out there was a large railway museum would you go? Would you care if it was better or worse than it used to be, considering it was your first ever and Prehaps only visit.

[Steamport Southport]

Maybe. But you can get bored with all those foreign engines....

 

 

 

But now we know a little more about the OPs interests then I would recommend the following.

 

Depending if it's possible to time the visit then the Keighley and Worth Valley Gala, Midland Railway Centre and Barrow Hill. The later two are not that far away from each other.

 

 

 

Jason

[Gilloverland]

Here are my three suggestions, Brian.

 

1.  The National Railway Museum, York.  http://www.nrm.org.uk

 

2.  The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Keighley, West Yorkshire.  http://kwvr.co.uk

The K&WVR hold an Autumn Steam Gala usually around the Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the end of the first week of October.

 

3.  The London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, London.  http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk

 

I hope that helps.  Good luck whittling all the suggestions down to three !!

and don't forget the beer and music festival!

[AMJ]

As Darryl mentioned earlier

 

1 Middleton Railway - if you are unaware this is the Worlds Oldest Railway (by act of Parliament).  As a regular volunteer we have more history than most.  Running since 1758, then the Worlds first use of commercial steam in 1812.  Worlds first rack railway, the first standard gauge railway preserved and operated by volunteers.  We can be combined easily with the nearby Royal Armouries.

 

2 NRM in York - this is still classed as probably the largest collection of railway items in the world.  Well worth a day out there, I have visited it regularly since the 1970's.

 

3 KWVR as a regular visitor, it's a couple of miles from the office and you have the only complete standard gauge branch line in preservation.  Technically they extended it a few feet more to increase the head shunt at Oxenhope so its longer than the original railway!

 

Stay in Leeds as there are more reasonably priced hotels than York.  Plenty of culinary choices as Bradford is one of the Curry Capitals and there are quite a few restaurants throughout Yorkshire staffed by the locals from Bradford.  There are plenty of other styles of food available as in Leeds we have French, German, Italian, Persian, British, Polish.

 

Whilst here there are more real ales you should sample than we can list here.  A day out driving in the dales and you could have a trip round the Black Sheep brewery in Masham (pronounced Massam).  Each week I drink in a few real ale bars in Leeds and I don't think I have had the same ale at all due to the choice available and them changing due to the seasons each week.

 

Between us we could give you ideas for 3 weeks worth places to visit just in Yorkshire without heading away from the county and that is not just of railway interest.

 

Bring some warm clothes as it might get nippy in October.

[bike2steam]

As Darryl mentioned earlier

 

1 Middleton Railway - if you are unaware this is the Worlds Oldest Railway (by act of Parliament).  As a regular volunteer we have more history than most.  Running since 1758, then the Worlds first use of commercial steam in 1812.  Worlds first rack railway, the first standard gauge railway preserved and operated by volunteers.  We can be combined easily with the nearby Royal Armouries.

 

2 NRM in York - this is still classed as probably the largest collection of railway items in the world.  Well worth a day out there, I have visited it regularly since the 1970's.

 

3 KWVR as a regular visitor, it's a couple of miles from the office and you have the only complete standard gauge branch line in preservation.  Technically they extended it a few feet more to increase the head shunt at Oxenhope so its longer than the original railway!

 

Stay in Leeds as there are more reasonably priced hotels than York.  Plenty of culinary choices as Bradford is one of the Curry Capitals and there are quite a few restaurants throughout Yorkshire staffed by the locals from Bradford.  There are plenty of other styles of food available as in Leeds we have French, German, Italian, Persian, British, Polish.

 

Whilst here there are more real ales you should sample than we can list here.  A day out driving in the dales and you could have a trip round the Black Sheep brewery in Masham (pronounced Massam).  Each week I drink in a few real ale bars in Leeds and I don't think I have had the same ale at all due to the choice available and them changing due to the seasons each week.

 

Between us we could give you ideas for 3 weeks worth places to visit just in Yorkshire without heading away from the county and that is not just of railway interest.

 

Bring some warm clothes as it might get nippy in October.

A totally unbiased choice then ??

[avonside1563]

Foxfield any day as it must be the best display any railway puts on from the engine due to the steep climb which the engines have to work very hard to get to the top of the incline.

I'd agree and not purely as a volunteer there of many years. However, although Foxfield will be operating in October, the OP will have missed the chance to see the coal trains on Foxfield Bank as the autumn gala is the last weekend in September. However, next year will be the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Foxfield Light Railway Society and we have a definite plan to return passenger trains to Foxfield colliery and the bank next year. Infrastructure for this is already being planned and built and the intention is to offer this on selected occasions throughout the season so there is every chance in October next year of a ride up the 1km (2/3rds mile) of 1 in 25 average and likely to be in the Knotty heritage coaches too.

[jjb1970]

I think the NRM would be number one on the list. Whatever its faults it remains a great day out IMO and remains one of the worlds foremost railway museums. I think they do a good job in balancing between catering for hardcore railway enthusiasts and the more general visitor who probably knows little about trains but enjoys seeing old steam engines and such like in a nice setting.

After the NRM I'd nominate visiting the Forth railway bridge and spending some time at Clapham Junction to experience an incredibly intensive rail operation.

[bike2steam]

Just a personal view on just one visit to the NRM, not long after it officially opened, from someone who frequented dirty, grimy, wonderfully atmospheric steam sheds in my younger days, it made me think of a ---  mortuary. All things to all people perhaps !?  

[Steve K]

You have to go to London if you have never been in the UK before. 

 

Yes, visit London once, so you get it out of the way, and you never have to go there again...

[nick_bastable]

in no particular order

 

Pendon  could  fit in Didcot

NRM  either version

KESR 

 

 

Nick

[DLPG]

NYMR and if in the North East the Tanfield Railway. You can spend hours wondering around the yard and there is plenty of ongoing restoration projects to view. Highly recommend thier annual legends of industry events.

[edcayton]

Does Beamish count as a railway attraction?  Well worth going, and lots of interest to non train fans.

 

Ed

[Chris M]

As an LMS man you have to find where Duchess of Hamilton is on display and go there. She isn't always at the NRM but she is a must see. There is a lot of Midland stuff at Midland Railway Centre.

 

There will be a lot more choice of preserved railways in October than in November.

 

There is of course the Warley NEC model railway exhibition at the end of November. This is probably the biggest model railway exhibition in Europe with over 90 layouts and a few real locos. This year we have Betton Grange and a couple of Vale of Rheidol locos. Don't know about next year yet. There are a number of model railway exhibitions every weekend in October and November.

[rogerzilla]

I would say NRM, NYMR and SVR although (annoyingly) some of the most famous NRM stuff is rotated with Swindon (e.g. City of Truro) or Shildon (Deltic DP1).