For many of us, our childhoods were shaped by the railway. Even today, there is something about that lonesome train whistle that calls out to our inner child. Thankfully, many places around the world have resurrected these locomotives and preserved their history. They provide a chance to experience railroading as it once was, and nothing draws a crowd like a working steam engine.
A visit to a train museum is more than just about seeing trains and reading the exhibits. It is a time to relive our own rail-related memories and perhaps make some new ones. This is why it is important to support the efforts of these museums. They can be expensive to maintain and to restore their historic locomotives, but it is important that the effort is made. Hopefully more people will start to realize this and make a donation to help keep these museums going.
The National Railway Museum in York contains approximately 280 rail vehicles, of which around 100 are on display at any one time. The collection is split between York, Locomotion at Shildon and other museums and heritage railways around the country. It includes a range of rolling stock from wagonway vehicles to Victorian passenger saloons, and the oldest vehicles are the four-wheeled experimental railway carriages built for Queen Victoria.
It is also possible to see the original steam engines from the great industrial era, such as the iconic Great Western Railway Class Q1 0-6-0 No. C1. The locomotive was restored at the NRM following a campaign to save it for the nation.
The mighty steam locomotives that once puffed down the tracks are on permanent display. Visitors can also view the locomotives that were used in prestigious royal visits.
In addition, the NRM is home to a large collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the golden age of the railways. It is also an important resource for those studying the social and economic impact of the railways.
Another excellent museum is the Whippany Railway Museum in New Jersey. It features the largest collection of standard gauge steam locomotives on display in North America. There is also a 1904 freight house with dozens of historic railcars on display. Visitors can climb into the cabs of these locomotives and feel what it was like to work on the railroads back in their heyday.
In Japan, the train museum in Niigata is a great place to learn about Japan’s rich railway history. The main attraction is the massive roundhouse platform which has 20 tracks and a turntable. This holds 15 steam locomotives and other railcars, all of which are a sight to behold. The museum also has scale models and dioramas that give an idea of the importance of rail transport in Japan.
Many visitors to the museum bring with them fond memories of their own experiences on the railroad. Others come to study the archival records and memorabilia that the museum houses. For all of these people, there is a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their visits to the museum.
