Locomotion The National Railway Museum At Shildon

This museum has a lot to offer but there were too many disappointments. The site includes both the large building housing the main exhibits, called «Locomotion» and a number of historic buildings on a fairly large site. One of these is called the Welcome building but on the day I visited it was locked — some welcome that was. All the other buildings on the site were also locked and notices did tell me that access to the interiors was only on guided walking tours. To get to the main building I had to telephone as staff had forgotten to unlock a gate giving access on the main walking route from the station to Locomotion. Once inside the main building I saw a notice that gave the times of these tours. There were only a few times but one was at 1500. However at 1500 I found out that the walking tour had gone about an hour earlier and there wouldn’t be one at 1500. This was very poor, if there is a schedule it should be honoured. It was a cold wet windy day and few people wanted to explore the outdoors but all the same, promises should always be kept. I got the impression that management, based in York, don’t keep a close eye on standards here. There were also a few maintenance issues with interactives. The collection is of course the main attraction. It is a part of the National Railway Museum, organisationally, and the museum displays some fabulous exhibits. They range from an experimental Advanced Passenger Train to the first tamping machine (a track maintenance machine) to have been used in the UK. Interpretation is pretty rudimentary, with cheaply-​produced hanging labels explaining many of the exhibits. It was worth a visit and I would go back to see the outdoor site that I missed. It would not require a lot of money to raise the game here, just a bit of better management would do the trick.

Came on a 1^st visit when there was supposed to be a steam fair also but unfortunately a flood had taken place on friday in the main building so the event was cancelled even though the local radio was still advertising it. Anyway the bit I did see was ok & food for thought for another visit. Well not being a train buff but it is close-​by decided to return, firstly on a ghost walk on Halloween, it was a bit of fun walking around the trains in the dark with torches. Returned again today for a Christmas fair in the main exhibition hall so ample opportunity to see all the trains in the light & get a great guided tour & talk on the footplate of a steam train. What a great place it is to visit, it’s free (donation if you want to) and great for adults & children alike. The whole attraction is well spread out but ample parking at either end of the sidings area. A dry day would be ideal. Visit the web site for activity days which are regular.

We have two train-​mad kids who were aged 2 and 4 when we visited here — and they absolutely loved it. The weather on the day we went was absolutely atrocious, which was a shame because there’s quite a bit to do outside; but there was also more than enough to do inside, which was just as well. A lot of the exhibits are suitably interactive and engaging, and if they get tired of those there’s always the big old engines to admire. In short, an excellent day out — and as an added bonus it is all completely free!

The museum is free to enter. There are a range of steam engines on display in the warehouse like space. At weekends and during school holidays you can get a short ride on one of the smaller steam engines. At this time there may be arts and crafts activities for the kids going on. There are a few little interactive activities which the kids enjoy, but unfortunately on my last visit a few weren’t working properly. There is an ordinary café and a gift shop full of gifts for trainspotters or kids who are going through the Thomas phase. One of the best bits of the museum is the outside play area with a good range of equipment.