Objects and stories

Immerse yourself in stories from centuries of railway history and discover unexpected objects from the world's largest railway collection.

Looking for our archive catalogues? You'll find all our online resources and more information about visiting Search Engine in the Research and Archive section.

Why Were WHSmith's Station Bookstalls So Popular?

A deep dive into the history of WHSmith's outlets, which were part of the station landscape for more than 180 years.

What did Britain's Railway Queens do?

We explore Britain's Railway Queens, young women from across the country that symbolised the railway industry between 1925 – 1975.

Detail of aquatint, Entrance of the Railway at Edge Hill, Liverpool. H. Pyall after T.T. Bury, 1831

Our Stories

Embark on a captivating journey through time as you discover the rich and fascinating stories that span centuries of railway history.

Explore... Locomotives

These incredible inventions underpin our collection of over a million railway-related objects. Among them are the world's fastest steam engine Mallard, the exquisitely streamlined Duchess of Hamilton, a replica of George Stephenson's pioneering Rocket and the only bullet train to be found outside of Japan.

London & North Eastern Railway steam locomotive 'Mallard' 4-6-2 A4 Pacific class, No 4468, 1938 (steam locomotive) © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum”

LMS(R) steam locomotive with tender 'Duchess of Hamilton' 4-6-2 Coronation class, No 6229, 1938 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Working replica of Rocket (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Steam locomotive, entitled Evening Star (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Furness Railway steam locomotive 'Coppernob' 0-4-0, No 3, 1846 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Shutt End Colliery Railway steam locomotive 'Agenoria' 0-4-0, 1829 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

West Japan Railways Shinkansen 'Bullet Train', 1976 (powered unit) Science Museum Group Collection

Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (diesel locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Chinese Government Railways Steam Locomotive 4-8-4 KF Class No 7 (steam locomotive) © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum”

London Brighton & South Coast Railway locomotive Gladstone (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

British Railways diesel electric locomotive AIA-AIA Class 31, No D5500 (31018), 1957 (diesel locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

SR 'Ellerman Lines' 4-6-2 Merchant Navy Class sectioned steam locomotive, No 35029 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

South Eastern & Chatham Railway Class D 4-4-0 steam locomotive No 737 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Electric locomotive, No. 26020 (electric locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Steam locomotive, number 673 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Steam locomotive, number 245 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Great Northern Railway 0-6-0ST steam locomotive, No 1247, 1899 (steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Our blog

George Ottley in the Second Supplement of British Railway History Bibliography

A class of his own: George Ottley and our library classification system

Blog post

Senior Library and Archive Assistant Peter Thorpe explains our library classification system, adapted from a design created originally by George Ottley.

Inflatable orange spikey Mass sculpture in Wonderlab

Wonderlab’s spiky inflatable sculpture: Mass by Steve Messam

Blog post

Masterplan Interpretation Manager Lorna Hogger delves into the creative process behind Steve Messam's sculpture Mass.

‘Begs Leave to Inform’: Transcribing John Graham’s Stockton & Darlington Railway Report Books

Blog post

Archive volunteer Robert Demaine delves into the story of S&DR Traffic Superintendent John Graham.

Explore... Intriguing objects from the railways

From the original drawings of game-changing locomotives to a 'no spitting' sign, our collection of railway objects reaches far and wide.

You can see more of these objects in Highlights, our newest exhibition which puts some of our most interesting non-locomotive collection items under the spotlight on the Search Engine balcony in Great Hall.

Railway Collecting Dog: "Laddie" (railway collecting dog) Science Museum Group Collection

Waterloo Station (oil painting) Science Museum Group Collection

Ceramic tile map of North Eastern Railway (map) Science Museum Group Collection

Spirit of the South (painting) Science Museum Group Collection

Furness Railway station seat (station seat) Science Museum Group Collection

Silver fox locomotive plaque, London & North Eastern Railway (plaque) Science Museum Group Collection

Anti-spitting sign (sign) Science Museum Group Collection

Tubular Steel Type Signal Assembly (fixed signal) Science Museum Group Collection

bullion box full of lead shot (bullion box) Science Museum Group Collection

carriage ashtray from Quintinshill disaster (carriage ashtray)

Royal footwarmer, Great Western Railway (footwarmer) Science Museum Group Collection

Borough Market Junction signal box (signal box) Science Museum Group Collection

Insight from around the museum

A glimpse into the history of the 'Concrete Works'

Blog post

Peter Thorpe delves into the history of the building which still stands in the museum's car park.

A day in the life of the model railway

Blog post

You might think our amazing model railway runs all day without human intervention—but behind the scenes there's a different story.

The Railway Queen who Met Stalin

Blog post

Tasha McNaught takes us back to a time when railway workers' daughters competed for the title of Railway Queen.

Explore... Photographic collections

See what life was like in the large-scale workshops that powered a railway revolution and delve into the history of an era of engineering might with our photographic collections dating back to the 1800s.

Locomotives in the workshop — The locomotive erecting shop at Bow Locomotive Works, around 1900.

See more photographs from the Bow Locomotive Works collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Experimental vehicles in the workshop — Experimental vehicles at the Derby research centre.

See more photographs from the British Rail Research collection.

A vehicle and a horse — The driver of a 'mechanical horse' pets a dray horse.

See more photographs from the British Transport Films collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A breakdown train, around 1910.

See more photographs from the Crewe collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Line widening at Ambergate in July 1931.

See more photographs from the Derby Works collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A locomotive being painted — Painters add another coat to a locomotive at Doncaster Works in 1947.

See more photographs from the Doncaster Works collection,
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bo-Bo no. 2 with train of open goods wagons — NER Bo-Bo no. 2 pulls a train of open goods wagons and crew in Newcastle.

See more photographs from the Gateshead & Darlington collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Inside a drawing office — Inside the drawing office at Stratford Works.

See more photographs from the Great Eastern Railway Stratford collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mallard on the rails — Mallard thunders past on the day of its record-breaking run in 1938.

See more photographs from the Hoather collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A busy Preston station — Preston station bustles with passengers ready to board a Blackpool-bound train in 1910.

See more photographs from the Horwich collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A man unloads goods from a flatbed vehicle — A worker unloads a haul of goods in 1936.

See more photographs from the London Midland & Scottish Railway collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Inside a workshop — Inside London & South Western Railway's Eastleigh Works erecting shop.

See more photographs from the Nine Elms collection.
© The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum

Nottingham Victoria Station around 1910.

See more photographs from the Oxford Publishing Company or Railprint collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Rail vehicles in action at Coombe Junction — Coombe Junction in action.

See more photographs from the Sellick collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wagons under construction — Wagons are built at Shildon Works, around 1910.

See more photographs from the Shildon Works collection.
Science Museum Group Collection

St Fillans Station, about 1901.

See more photographs from the St Rollox collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A railway carriage under construction — Railway carriages under construction at Wolverton Carriage Works, about 1928.

See more photographs from the Wolverton collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Inside a first-class carriage — A railway carriage (first class) built at York Carriage Works, around 1935.

See more photographs from the York Carriage Works collection.
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Railway stories

Science and Industry Museum

Beyer, Peacock & Co. Ltd—from Manchester to the World

Story

The company that built more than 8,000 locomotives on the back of a surge in demand in the second half of the 19th century.

Shildon—Cradle of the railways

Story

How did a sleepy County Durham town become so vital to the story of the railways? What did local people make of the radical new technology changing the face of their landscape?

Stephenson's Rocket, Rainhill and the rise of the locomotive

Discover the story of pioneering engineering minds who pushed new locomotive technology to its limits.

Explore... Railway posters

Railway companies have designed some brilliant posters over the years. Take a look at these eye-catching examples from our extensive collection.

Clapham Junction (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

The Devon Belle (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

The Gateway to the North (poster) © The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum, London

Folkestone (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Warwick Castle (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Crieff, Perthshire (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

BR poster. Inter-City Sleepers. Overground by Night, 1974 (poster) © The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum, London

Track Laying by Night (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Take me by the Flying Scotsman (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

The Silver Jubilee (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Intercity Savers poster (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

The Lake District for Holidays (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Ireland for Holidays, Killarney (poster) © The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum, London

York, Walled City of Ancient Days (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Hunstanton (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Guernsey, The Sunshine Island (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

GlenFinnan (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Kendal - A Gateway to the English Lakes (poster) © The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum, London

It's Quicker by Rail - Bridlington (poster) © The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum, London

It's Quicker by Rail - Durham (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Fleetwood for Sunshine Health & Pleasure (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Herefordshire (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Hungtindonshire (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Norwich (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Richmond, Yorkshire (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Isle of Skye - Go North This Year (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Bangor - Northern Ireland (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Buckinghamshire (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

It's Quicker by Rail - Lowestoft (poster) © The Board of Trustees of The Science Museum, London

The Coronation Scot Ascending Shap Fell (poster)

Giants Refreshed - 'Pacifics' in the LNER Locomotive Works, Doncaster (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

the cambrian coast line (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Cornwall (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Cornwall, Land of Legend, History and Romance (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

I'm Taking an Early Holiday Cos I Know Summer Comes Soonest in the South (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Midland Railway poster, the Most Interesting Route to Scotland (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

It's Quicker by Rail - Scarborough (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

York in Daffodil Time (poster) Science Museum Group Collection

Courageous conservation

Preserving a palace on wheels

Blog post

The Conservation team's efforts to keep these popular carriages in top condition.

How does conservation care for upholstery?

Blog post

Even the most functional objects in our collection need proper care and attention to make sure they survive for future generations.

A picture (frame) is worth a thousand words

Blog post

What TLC was needed for this 19th-century gilt picture frame?

Explore... Railway models

Our collection is home to over 1000 model engines, carriages and other rail vehicles and equipment, many of which are on display for you to discover in the Collections Store.

Model diesel-electric locomotive, London, Midland & Scottish Railway (model) Science Museum Group Collection

Concept model, British Rail InterCity 250 Class 93 locomotive (concept model) Science Museum Group Collection

Model steam locomotive, gauge `0' tinplate, LMS 0-4-0T No.22 (model steam locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Model electric locomotive, 1/24 scale, BR `EM 2' class Co-Co electric passenger locomotive (Model locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Model Passenger Locomotive, 1840-1845 (model locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Great Northern Class 1 Stirling Single Locomotive model (locomotive model) Science Museum Group Collection

Model Class 91 electric locomotive, c 1990 (model - representation; electric locomotive) Science Museum Group Collection

Discover more

See more locomotives

Many more engines and railway objects are on display at Locomotion in Shildon.

Science Museum Group journal

Explore peer-reviewed papers related to the wide-ranging work of the Group's museums.

Buy prints at the Science and Society Picture Library

Explore the Science Museum Group's official picture library.

Top 2 & Repository

Why Were WHSmith's Station Bookstalls So Popular?

What did Britain's Railway Queens do?

Our Stories

Explore... Locomotives

Our blog

A class of his own: George Ottley and our library classification system

Wonderlab’s spiky inflatable sculpture: Mass by Steve Messam

‘Begs Leave to Inform’: Transcribing John Graham’s Stockton & Darlington Railway Report Books

Explore... Intriguing objects from the railways

Insight from around the museum

A glimpse into the history of the 'Concrete Works'

A day in the life of the model railway

The Railway Queen who Met Stalin

Explore... Photographic collections

Railway stories

Beyer, Peacock & Co. Ltd—from Manchester to the World

Shildon—Cradle of the railways

Stephenson's Rocket, Rainhill and the rise of the locomotive

Explore... Railway posters

Courageous conservation

Preserving a palace on wheels

How does conservation care for upholstery?

A picture (frame) is worth a thousand words

Explore... Railway models

Discover more

See more locomotives

Science Museum Group journal

Buy prints at the Science and Society Picture Library

Part of the Science Museum Group