York's National Railway Museum Showcases Royal Carriages in Revamped Hall
The National Railway Museum in York has reopened its Station Hall following a comprehensive £11 million refurbishment project that spanned more than two years. The Grade II-listed building, originally constructed in the 1870s as York's main goods station, had been closed to visitors since 2023 to allow for essential structural improvements, including a complete roof replacement. Museum director Craig Bentley described the renovation as "comprehensive" and transformative for the institution.
The restoration work addressed long-standing issues with the historic structure, which had been leaking since its original construction. Andrew McLean, the museum's head curator, noted that during rainy periods, staff would need to place buckets to catch water. The project has now made the building wind and watertight for the first time in its history, while also adding photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and preserving the listed elevations.
The reopening coincides with the museum's 50th anniversary celebrations, marking what Bentley called a "monumental milestone" for the institution, which was the first national museum to open outside London. The Station Hall, which has housed the museum's collection of six royal carriages since 1990, now features improved natural lighting through the installation of glazing in historic doors, recreating the original atmosphere of the goods shed where doors would have been open during operational hours.
The £577,000 exhibition refresh supported by the Friends of the National Railway Museum introduces new acquisitions including Queen Victoria's funeral wreath from 1901, which is being publicly displayed for the first time since the monarch's funeral. The displays aim to celebrate railway stations and their universal stories, featuring objects ranging from royal memorabilia to everyday items like the last microwave-burger box used before GNER trains introduced deli-style meals.
