The Duke of Gloucester has visited the National Railway Museum in York to receive an exclusive preview of the institution’s ambitious multi-million-pound transformation.
His Royal Highness toured the world-famous museum to learn more about plans for a striking new entrance building and a permanent gallery exploring the future of rail travel. The engagement formed part of a wider programme of royal visits across York, including stops at York Castle Museum and York Minster.
During the visit, the Duke explored several of the museum’s most celebrated exhibits, including Stephenson’s Rocket, the record-breaking Mallard and the Duke of Gloucester Cab, a full-size replica locomotive cab built to allow railway crews to assess its design.
The exhibit prompted a personal recollection from the Duke, who shared memories of driving the real Duke of Gloucester steam locomotive during the 1980s.
Andrew McLean, Assistant Director and Head Curator at the National Railway Museum, said: “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to the National Railway Museum and showcase both our historic collection and our exciting plans for the future.
“The Duke of Gloucester’s longstanding interest in railway history and engineering made this a particularly meaningful visit.
“When viewing the Duke of Gloucester Cab, His Royal Highness shared his own memories of driving the real Duke of Gloucester locomotive back in the 1980s.”
The Duke also took an interest in the Queen Mary locomotive nameplate, named after his late grandmother, and spoke enthusiastically about the famous Duchess Class locomotives while viewing Duchess of Hamilton.
His Royal Highness was then guided through the museum’s Our Transformation exhibition, which sets out plans for Central Hall – a landmark new entrance building designed by award-winning architects Feilden Fowles. Inspired by a working railway roundhouse, the building will provide step-free access across the site for the first time and include a new gallery, café, shop and visitor facilities.
The Duke also heard about the planned Futures Gallery, a permanent exhibition designed to showcase innovation in rail travel and encourage visitors to imagine the future of the railway.
Lisa Moore, Masterplan Project Director, said: “Alongside celebrating the remarkable story of the railways, our transformation will help create a more accessible, welcoming and inspiring museum for millions of visitors in the years ahead, and it was a privilege to share our ambitions with His Royal Highness.
“With his background in architecture, the design for Central Hall, based on a working railway roundhouse, coupled with an ambition to welcome even more visitors in the future, were of particular interest to the Duke.”
