Station Hall Sneak peeks
We are celebrating stations in all their complexity: the big and small journeys we take, the railway workers who make travel possible, the goods moved around the country, and the innovations and traditions that have shaped our society and the people we have become.
These stories are told thematically via objects, vehicles and interpretation panels.
There will be so many great things to see, but here are three of our Star objects to look out for when you visit:
The W.H. Smith station bookstall
This bookstall, originally from Waterloo, was given to the museum in 1978. But this is the first time it has been on display at York. It has been restored, assembled and interpreted to tell great stories about newspaper delivery, the spread of reading, passenger comforts and its own restoration history. You can read more about Why W.H. Smith bookstalls were so popular on our website.
Silver locomotive coffee pot
This magnificent novelty coffee urn once took pride of place in the nineteenth century refreshment rooms at Swindon. The quality of coffee was disputed but the urn was most definitely a talking-point! This will be the first time the coffee pot has been on display at the museum.
Countess of York
A brand-new dining experience, you will be able to book a table in our sumptuously decorated dining car and enjoy afternoon tea in style in this authentic historic carriage.
behind the scenes
Here is a flavour of the work being done behind the scenes preparing Station Hall for its reopening. Here, a conservator is installing objects in one of our showcases. We have two cases on display and this one near the café is all about food and drink on the move.
Putting all the objects back into Station Hall is a big task. For those hard-to-reach areas, a MEWP is needed (mobile elevating work platform).
Exciting new displays are coming soon to Station Hall!
As preparations continue behind the scenes, Station Hall is steadily coming back to life—ready to welcome visitors once again. This refreshed space will offer new ways to explore the stories, people, and moments that have shaped rail travel in Britain.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to rediscover old favourites, we hope you’ll join us for the reopening celebrations on 27–28 September 2025 and experience Station Hall as you’ve never seen it before.