York and the National Railway Museum

[sally_maria]

Even though I'm no longer involved in the Tolkien Society committee, I still try to get to the AGM weekend every year. It's a great excuse to spend the weekend with friends, often listen to an interesting speaker at the Annual Dinner, and visit a new and interesting town/city. (There are so many interesting places I would probably have never got round to visiting if it wasn't for the TS.)

This year it was York, and while I'm sure I would have visited more of the city if it wasn't for the stinking cold I've been fighting, I did get to see quite a lot of the centre, including the Shambles, the Minster, the Yorkshire Museum and of course, the National Railway museum.



(Click through for more pictures.)

Flying Scotsman fever has of course seized the museum, as it has the country - there are a lot of interesting presentations of the history of the FS express service, which existed long before the steam locomotive bearing the name, and the media and publicity attention it had from the very beginning.

(I must admit I'm more of a GWR fan - and my discussion of the exhibits included pointing out the model of City of Truro - which did 100mph long before that LNER upstart. ;-D)

On Sunday morning I went round with a group from the TS, and demonstrated that a little learning is a dangerous thing by attempting to explain various railway related things. I was obviously speaking too loud, as I was pounced on by one of the museum volunteers, who wanted to talk me into joining them. *blushes* Still, it was a good visit, and I was pleased to find Mallard, and a Royal Mail sorting carriage, which I missed the first time round.

Comments

[bella_luugosi]

*hyperventilates*

(Are you doing the GWSR wartime thing next week?

[sally_maria]

I was thinking I would like to, but hadn't made any formal plans - which day were you thinking of going? (I have Saturday off, so could do either.) :-)

Your Morris side say they'll be there Saturday, if that helps.

[bella_luugosi]

I think probably Saturday - we have to go up to church enough to qualify to marry there, so it's probably easier that way! It would be lovely to see you.

[sally_maria]

That sounds like a wonderful idea. :-)

[elisi]

Awww, you're making me nostalgic now. We used to live in York, and going to the Railway Museum was always a nice way to keep the kids entertained (they were little back then). Also there was a proper playroom which was *brilliant*. :)

If you ever find yourself in York again, and have time on your hands, I can recommend the Castle Museum. That'll easily take up several hours.

[sally_maria]

Yes, I can imagine it would be a good way of keeping children out of mischief. :-) York is a lovely city, and with a lot of interesting things to see.

I shall certainly bear that in mind about the Castle museum.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Barley Hall is always well worth a visit, too.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite places within another of my favourite places.

One of my daughter's friends from her History degree in York is now one of the paid members of staff at the NRM - she reckons she more or less has her dream job. I think she has a point!

[sally_maria]

If I lived closer, I'd certainly be there on a regular basis, it's a wonderful museum. And good for your daughter's friend - I can certainly think of worse places to work. :-)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

You just *know* what I'm going to say about Mallard, don't you ...

[sally_maria]

*feels very stupid* Sorry I don't - something about your family connections to the area where the record was set?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

No, more to do with new potatoes and green peas ...

[sally_maria]

Ah, I see. Would be good for your iron levels, certainly.