What’s happened to the NRM?

[philthetube]

Just been glancing at another thread and had a brainwave!
New exhibition "So you want to be a train driver".
Consoles where people can try various tests.
I donate this idea free of charge to the NRM in lieu of any more cash
they try to guilt out of me. I only pop in to read the magazines now.

fantastic idea, if that was there would def be paying a visit. Even though I am to old I would love to know if I could have qualified.

 

[Raul_Duke]

I don’t think there’d be a huge family market for people looking to stare at a flashing grey box for 30 minutes or look at endless squares of little dots

 

[philthetube]

not so sure" Son This is the sort of thing you have to do if you want to be a train driver, do you want to try?

 

[Flying Phil]

I suppose it is a bit too risky for an unmanned "interactive experience" but I liked the idea shown on the NYMR TV program of a "So you want to be a fireman". Here is a pile of coal and shovel - try placing the coal through that hole of a mock backplate....if you had two, back to back, the coal just circulates....and turns to dust!

 

[Roger100]

For all of you who are thinking that this is an inevitable result of the environment such museums operate in, I suggest you take a visit to Steam in Swindon.

The balance between specialist and generalist exhibits is absolutely spot on. Those who knew nothing about the GWR, or indeed the railway, will learn, but those who already have a detailed knowledge will also find many interesting exhibits and learn a great deal.

The conclusion I draw is that the Science Museum Group have lost the plot, and are completely shown up by Swindon Borough Council.

I second that. Even the walk from the station is worthwhile, you see GWR housing, public buildings, and then walk around what was Swindon Works. Inside the first exhibits are workshops, and you see a station - there's lots of variety there.

Alas I've moved up to the North east so visits to Swindon and Didcot are now unlikely.

 

[Shenandoah]

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/161...way-museum-sees-visitors-rocket/?ref=mr&lp=11

THE Tim Peake exhibition at the National Railway Museum saw visitor numbers lift off.

According to official figures released this week, the exhibition, which displayed the capsule that transported the British astronaut to the International Space Station, was a huge draw.

January and February are traditionally quieter months for museums in general, but the museum bucked the trend recording an impressive rise in visitor numbers.

This boost is being attributed to the exhibition of Peake’s Soyuz space capsule, which was displayed on the Great Hall’s historic turntable.

 

[Flying Phil]

Thanks for the link Shenendoah - that does put our little "bubble" into perspective!
I think we all agree that the museum needs to be popular to survive and if we can still access the rich range of preserved railway material into the future that is a good result.

 

[Bensonby]

I was up at the NRM a couple of weeks ago. I still enjoyed myself but I was irritated about the dearth of information boards (with neither technical or “basic” info) next to each locomotive. Although I was familiar with most of them I spent my visit googling bits and pieces in order to read about what was in front of me.

 

[70014IronDuke]

I was up at the NRM a couple of weeks ago. I still enjoyed myself but I was irritated about the dearth of information boards (with neither technical or “basic” info) next to each locomotive. Although I was familiar with most of them I spent my visit googling bits and pieces in order to read about what was in front of me.

Well, whatever their new visitor numbers, that, frankly, is an indictment of any institution with the word "museum" in its title.

Perhaps York is a new kind of institution now? Could we call it "museum-lite" or some such?

EDIT - Welcome to the forum. I hope you find it an easier time here than at the NRM.

 

[Bensonby]

Many thanks for the welcome!