Openings & closures

National Railway Museum schedules reveal of £10.5m Station Hall renovation

Image: Concept designs for Station Hall (Drinkall Dean)

Closed since 2023, its Station Hall will open in time for the museum’s 50 year anniversary

The National Railway Museum has set a date for the reopening of its Station Hall, revealing  to visitors for the first time its completed £10.5m renovation project.

The York museum turns 50 this year, and will open the doors of the building as part of the celebrations in September.

The reopening of the space has been scheduled ahead of the museum’s birthday weekend on 27-28 September, marking five decades since the museum opened in 1975.

Closed to the public since 2023, the former goods station and Grade II listed building represents around a third of the museum’s exhibition space. Its redevelopment has included interior decoration and new collection items, alongside the return of its royal carriages. The building has also been fitted with a new roof and solar panels.

The Station Hall’s £10.5m restoration was funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport

The museum will mark its 50th birthday year with a new campaign, NRM50, featuring photographs of visits captured on camera by the public over the last five decades.

Craig Bentley became Interim Director of the National Railway Museum in January, after its former Director Judith McNicol stepped down for a new position at the British Museum.

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Bentley said: “I can’t think of a better 50th birthday present than a restored and revitalised Station Hall. I know how keen our visitors are to see the results of our hard work inside the space – with plenty of surprises still to reveal as we approach the reopening.”