Our Masterplan: Becoming the World's Railway Museum

Our masterplan will transform the National Railway Museum, York, and Locomotion in Shildon. We're on a journey to become a global engineering powerhouse and a reinvented, inspiring 21st-century attraction.

With this investment, our transformed museums will show the cutting-edge innovations shaping our world today - alongside the extraordinary birth and growth of the railways.

By celebrating the past, present and future of railways and engineering, we will capture the hearts and minds of the next generation of engineers, innovators and thinkers.

Header image credit: Feilden Fowles

Support Us

Play your part in railway history. Our masterplan requires the support of generous individuals, businesses and charitable trusts to become the world’s railway museum—globally relevant and open to all.

More about the project

Central Hall

Central Hall will sit at the heart of the redesigned National Railway Museum site, the gateway to our transformed museum.

Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery

Interactive gallery

Open 10.00–16.30, last admission at 15.30

Experience the extraordinary in an unmissable new interactive experience for families—where nothing is off limits.

Book now

Station Hall

Station Hall is currently closed for its biggest redevelopment since the museum opened in 1975.

South Yard

The green backbone to the museum’s development, South Yard will provide our community with open space to picnic and play.

Great Hall

A reimagining of the museum's most exhilarating space will see our iconic collections displayed in themes which demonstrate the impact of the railways on our lives.

Open Store

Quirky, atmospheric and intriguing, the new Open Store will create an inviting and accessible space where you can explore unique railway treasures.

Transformation at Locomotion: New Hall

Developments at Locomotion will explore the fascinating narrative of the Stockton and Darlington railway and its connection to the museum site and railways in the North East.

York Central

York Central is a 45-hectare development created in partnership with Network Rail, Homes England, City of York Council and our museum.

Leeman Road entrance to National Railway Museum, 1975

Our neighbourhood

Useful information for our neighbours in York.