Thirty years ago, the Railway Heritage Act helped secure the future of Britain’s railway heritage. Discover how this landmark legislation protected historic artefacts and records during the privatisation of British Rail, ensuring they could be preserved for future generations.
In August 1926, Lord Nelson, a powerful new 4-6-0 locomotive emerged from the Southern Railway’s Eastleigh Works that would herald a new rush for power and prestige in express passenger locomotive design in Britain.
Ethan Knaresborough reflects on his placement at Locomotion, where he helped develop interpretation boards, worked with visitors and discovered the rewards of museum work.
Friday 19th June marks the 150th birthday of Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley, a railway engineer synonymous with speed and innovation.
A small handwritten booklet, nearly lost in a house clearance, revealed the life of Ethel Danby and her family, shaped by the railways of Yorkshire in the age of steam. Guest author Jonathan Winter traces the story hidden within its pages.
Esme Goodwin tells us about her experience of volunteering in the museum’s archive.
Discover how volunteers worked together to create, build and launch Locomotion’s brand-new model railway.
Sir Nigel Gresley is not the only famous British railway engineer to have their 150th birthday in 2026. Sir William Arthur Stanier, who oversaw the introduction of many classes of locomotives, units and rolling stock for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), was born in Swindon on 27 May 1876.
What exactly is SCMAGLEV? How and why can Japanese trains travel so fast? What does this new sister museum agreement mean for our museum? Curator Rob Scargill explores Japan’s rail past, present and future as we celebrate this exciting new international partnership.
Self-taught engineer and writer Lillian “Curly” Lawrence revolutionised miniature railways, transforming an exclusive craft into a hobby enjoyed by millions while overcoming extraordinary barriers.
Senior Archive and Library Assistant Peter Thorpe highlights our Inreach service, an invaluable resource for those that cannot make a research visit.
PhD researcher, Wendy O’Neill, concludes this series of blogs by giving advice about how fellow researchers can explore more railway history.