National Railway Museum York visit

[Lankyline]

Evening everyone,

I'm thinking of taking a trip to the NRM in the next couple of weeks, since its been close to 20 years since I last went. So basically I just wanted to get opinions as to whether it's still worth a visit given their recent funding issues etc ?

 

[DarloRich]

yes it is worth a visit

 

[Dave1954]

I am thinking of paying NRM a visit sometime this year , how much is the entrance fee these days ? the two times I visited it was a donation but that was more than 20 years ago ....... bit off topic , is Crewe Heritage Centre worth a visit ??
Regards Dave1954

 

[birchesgreen]

Last time i went to the NRM a couple of years ago it was free.

Crewe Heritage Centre is well worth a visit, the APT is open to board as was the 87 and there is a lot to see

 

[yorksrob]

Definitely worth a visit. Also worth a few hours in their library "The Search Engine".

 

[lincolnshire]

Yes its still free, but they try to give the impression that you have to pay by barriers leading you towards the counter at the entrance to go in as if you should be paying for entry.

I paid my taxes so now is the time to get something back from what I have been and still am paying for each week.

A donation is up to you and you should,t be made to feel guilty walking past the entrance desk without paying something.

Rant over, go and enjoy all of it and don,t forget its both sides of the road.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes its still free, but they try to give the impression that you have to pay by barriers leading you towards the counter at the entrance to go in as if you should be paying for entry.

I paid my taxes so now is the time to get something back from what I have been and still am paying for each week.

A donation is up to you and you should,t be made to feel guilty walking past the entrance desk without paying something.

Rant over, go and enjoy all of it and don,t forget its both sides of the road.

no they dont :roll:

 

[John Webb]

They do funnel you to the Reception Desk, but like any museum they wish to count the number of visitors, and besides a (free) ticket you get a small map of the museum. Always worth going to see, although some changes have been made in recent years, not always for the better, in my opinion. Part of 'The Works' behind the main building has been revamped to display the restored 'Flying Scotsman'.

If you can spare an hour to look in the 'Search Engine' on the gallery of the Main hall, do try it out - remarkable range of books, journals etc on display. And don't overlook the exquisite Gauge 0 model railway under the gallery either!

 

[Mikey C]

Yes its still free, but they try to give the impression that you have to pay by barriers leading you towards the counter at the entrance to go in as if you should be paying for entry.

I paid my taxes so now is the time to get something back from what I have been and still am paying for each week.

A donation is up to you and you should,t be made to feel guilty walking past the entrance desk without paying something.

Rant over, go and enjoy all of it and don,t forget its both sides of the road.

The Science Museum in London does that as well

 

[Scotty]

Anybody complaining about being persuaded to part with a small amount of cash to enter museums like this, can't be THAT interested in what's inside. It's worth a few quid donation, for sure.

 

[Bungle73]

delete

 

[cuccir]

I'd really emphasise the favour that you're doing these museums by being counted on your way in: this is how they account for their numbers, and as such justify their continued existence. You really don't have to donate, but don't try to avoid the front desk when you arrive!
--
PS - yes, it is worth going!

 

[Stampy]

Going up on May 11th - haven't been for a few years!!

 

[Mikey C]

Anybody complaining about being persuaded to part with a small amount of cash to enter museums like this, can't be THAT interested in what's inside. It's worth a few quid donation, for sure.

I think it's more that I prefer to donate AFTER seeing something, not beforehand. The British Museum or the various London art galleries have plenty of places to donate money

Part of the problem is the political decision to make national museums free (which I generally support) but then not provide enough funding to run them properly. It creates inconsistencies where some museums are free, e.g. the National Maritime Museum in London, while the branch in Falmouth costs £12.50.
Or the RAF Museum in Hendon being free while the London Transport Museum costs £17!

 

[sn1975]

I've always wanted to visit the NRM but never had the opportunity.

Is it doable in a day travelling from Tamworth?

How much can I expect to pay for the train fares?

How far is it from York station?


Many thanks.

 

[James Wake]

I've always wanted to visit the NRM but never had the opportunity.

Is it doable in a day travelling from Tamworth?

How much can I expect to pay for the train fares?

How far is it from York station?


Many thanks.

Absolutely doable in a day, there are direct CrossCountry trains from Tamworth to York.

I would advise using TrainSplit to see what advance tickets are available, or maybe someone can come up with a good value ticket or a combination of tickets.

Use the footbridge and it is just opposite the station, literally a couple of minutes walk.

 

[lincolnshire]

no they dont :roll:

Well in my opinion they do try and make it look like you have to pay to enter, thats my opinion and I am sticking with it.

Have seen many people stood looking to try and workout how much the admission price is after paying for other museums in York.

 

[John Webb]

Well in my opinion they do try and make it look like you have to pay to enter, thats my opinion and I am sticking with it.

Have seen many people stood looking to try and workout how much the admission price is after paying for other museums in York.

They also have donation boxes as you leave the building - these always seem to be fuller than the ones on the way in!

 

[DarloRich]

Well in my opinion they do try and make it look like you have to pay to enter, thats my opinion and I am sticking with it.

Have seen many people stood looking to try and workout how much the admission price is after paying for other museums in York.

well they must be a bit thick then as it is quite clearly indicated as free attraction and whilst you are entitled to your opinion i disagree fundamentally. In the approximately 27bn times have visited the NRM no one has ever hassled me for money or made out I have to pay to gain entry.

 

[alexl92]

well they must be a bit thick then as it is quite clearly indicated as free attraction and whilst you are entitled to your opinion i disagree fundamentally. In the approximately 27bn times have visited the NRM no one has ever hassled me for money or made out I have to pay to gain entry.

I've never experienced it until I went over the Easter Holidays. The woman on the desk by the gift shop told me it was free but that I could give a donation... and then sat and waited for me to do so. Her manner and body language definitely suggested she was expecting to see some money.

In the end I did put some in on the way out, but still. It was definitely not comfortable and there was a sense of pressure.

 

[BrunswickGreen]

I've never experienced it until I went over the Easter Holidays. The woman on the desk by the gift shop told me it was free but that I could give a donation... and then sat and waited for me to do so. Her manner and body language definitely suggested she was expecting to see some money.

In the end I did put some in on the way out, but still. It was definitely not comfortable and there was a sense of pressure.

I had a similar experience on my last visit. Seems to be more effort put into the catering outlets than the exhibits.

 

[DarloRich]

I've never experienced it until I went over the Easter Holidays. The woman on the desk by the gift shop told me it was free but that I could give a donation... and then sat and waited for me to do so. Her manner and body language definitely suggested she was expecting to see some money.

In the end I did put some in on the way out, but still. It was definitely not comfortable and there was a sense of pressure.

Nothing like that bothers me but I have never felt any pressure from anyone. If i don't want to donate to something i wont, regardless of any so called "pressure". Personally I think a donation to help keep the museum open is a good thing that should be given freely.

I had a similar experience on my last visit. Seems to be more effort put into the catering outlets than the exhibits.

maybe those catering outlets help keep the rest of the museum free? What should they do with the exhibits? Remember it isn't a museum for spotters but for families, especially those with young children.

 

[50039]

I visited with my kids over the Easter holiday - first time in 30+ years for me, definitely worth a visit.
Only disappointment for me, you can't go outside - I'm sure when I last went you could go outside as well - remember it just being a wire fence off from York TMD and walking alongside Class 40s.
Now I wouldn't be bothered but for the fact that the DPS say No9 and 19 are currently at the NRM, York. And they are - outside and inaccessible- albeit visible through certain doors...
Still definitely worth going though and pleased to have gone. As for cost - I made a donation - I can afford it and if it helps, that's good enough for me.

 

[Raul_Duke]

I've always donated each time I've been, I like going and am happy to support it.

I have to say though, there certainly seems to be less 'stuff' there than before, even just a few years ago.

The wagons that used to be in the station hall for example, there's nothing there at all now where they were, just a painting.

Much more emphasis on the various cafes.

Maybe it'll be better when the diesel bit opens again. Just seems a bit run down and faded presently.

Mind you, I'm looking back through rose tinted specs at my childhood memories as well

 

[Ianigsy]

I think it's more that I prefer to donate AFTER seeing something, not beforehand. The British Museum or the various London art galleries have plenty of places to donate money

Part of the problem is the political decision to make national museums free (which I generally support) but then not provide enough funding to run them properly. It creates inconsistencies where some museums are free, e.g. the National Maritime Museum in London, while the branch in Falmouth costs £12.50.
Or the RAF Museum in Hendon being free while the London Transport Museum costs £17!

My rule of thumb is to deduct whatever I spend in the gift shop and café from the "recommended donation". The NRM struggles a lot of the time to be all things to all men, and I noticed at least one caption referring to Railtrack in the present tense when I visited a couple of months ago, but they do make an effort to move things around and keep things interesting.

 

[sprinterguy]

well they must be a bit thick then as it is quite clearly indicated as free attraction and whilst you are entitled to your opinion i disagree fundamentally.

Where is it advertised as a free attraction? I got used to a small fortune having to be paid for entry when I was a kid, so in the few times I have returned since the charge was taken off I still feel astonished when I don't get charged as I pass the front desk!

I am happy to provide a donation towards the continued maintenance of this excellent attraction, but nonetheless feel that more could be done to advertise the fact that the initial entry is free of charge.

 

[Mikey C]

Where is it advertised as a free attraction? I got used to a small fortune having to be paid for entry when I was a kid, so in the few times I have returned since the charge was taken off I still feel astonished when I don't get charged as I pass the front desk!

I am happy to provide a donation towards the continued maintenance of this excellent attraction, but nonetheless feel that more could be done to advertise the fact that the initial entry is free of charge.

The website mentions that it is free (but donations are gratefully accepted)

Museum fees for National Museums were abolished in 2001

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1132161.stm#quote

 

[sprinterguy]

Museum fees for National Museums were abolished in 2001

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1132161.stm#quote

Blimey, I didn't realise it was that long ago. hock:

 

[DarloRich]

Where is it advertised as a free attraction? I got used to a small fortune having to be paid for entry when I was a kid, so in the few times I have returned since the charge was taken off I still feel astonished when I don't get charged as I pass the front desk!

apart from the big yellow star shaped FREE ENTRY "sticker" on the web site? The last Visit Yorkshire brochure i idly flicked through in London also had the same yellow sticker on the NRM advert. I am also sure the signs on approach say "FREE ENTRY"

PS i really wish i took away the copy of the visit Barnsley brochure I found in the St Paul's tourist information office!

 

[sprinterguy]

apart from the big yellow star shaped FREE ENTRY "sticker" on the web site?

Not necessarily relevant to the casual visitor, although admittedly the families and one time visitors who no doubt make up a good proportion of their footfall will probably have done more research in advance, and since they moved the entrance round the side it always feels to me that you've got to be pretty determined to want to visit in the first place.

I haven't noticed any "free entry" wording around the entrance itself, although I haven't had the benefit of "27 billion" visits to familiarise myself with the approach.