Step into the North Shed where an assortment of railway oddities awaits. Explore our collection up close to discover the rich history of thousands of items.
North Shed is home to a plethora of smaller railway items including locomotive nameplates and station signs as well as the sensational story of Flying Scotsman with the 100 Years 100 Voices exhibition. Highlights to look out for include a model railway constructed inside two banjo cases, a statue of Britannia from Euston Station and a collection of historic chamber pots.
North Shed also houses the J.P. Richards collection of 610 LNWR locomotives, carriages and wagons. Built between 1944 and 1999, they are the world’s largest collection of model railway vehicles built entirely by one person.
The Lancashire & Yorkshire Signalling School perform a monthly signalling demonstration in the North Shed.
Don't forget to venture out onto our special viewing balcony, where you can brush up on your spotting skills as you watch the trains go by on the main line.
A new approach to collection storage
The North Shed opened in 1999 and it includes the UK’s first open museum store. This innovative approach to museum storage was the first time in Britain that visitors were given freedom to explore a museum’s collections instead of them being hidden away in locked rooms. Our cornucopia of railway wonder contains almost 10,000 small railway items for you to discover.
Please note the North Shed is a working museum store so objects frequently move around as we care for them and move them for exhibitions. If there’s something specific that you would like to see, contact us to check that it will be available.
