York is known for its city walls, its grand cathedral, The Shambles shopping alleys, Yorvik Viking centre and the Railway Museum. My family has just returned from a trip from London to York by train, staying overnight.
The morning train from London arrives at York's historic station, which features in photos and on jigsaw puzzles. My family met up with friends under the clock which hangs overhead on the upper level of the concourse.
The afternoon was spent walking along the city walls, whilst the sun was out. The weather was a bit chilly in September, but it was a sunny day.
Next day, exhausted by the walk outdoors, my husband went indoors to the railway museum. It is next door to the railway station, built around a large turntable on the ground which used to turn the trains. (The Roundhouse in London in Camden was similarly a railway building.)
At weekends you could have tea in a railway carriage in the Railway museum. The museum is free. The set tea costs 25.50.
He indulged in paying an extra fiver for the experience of the Mallard train breaking the speed record for a steam train - a record still unbroken. You sit in what feels like the Mallard watching a recording.
Exhilarating. "Worth it!" says my husband. He's a biker, motorbikes. He likes that sort of thing. Sensation of speed.
His other favourite train to board was the WWI hospital train. Trains were travelling wards. Reserved for those well enough to survive the journey because of physical injury. Those with mental problems were put into padded cells on the train. The nurses did triage - dividing soldiers into those beyond hope, those with minor injuries, and the core who were badly injured, but could be saved if given sufficient quick treatment and long term care. Or short term care to be sent back to the front.
The train(s?) had only 2 nurses for 500 people. The nurses were tough, career nurses who chose to do jobs in the heart of the action. It was their vocation. The staff had their own sleeping quarters.
The trains had been planned in 1912, and could be built in 18 days. Trevor said, "The Railway Museum is worth visiting just for this."
Trevor, being a Singapore Permanent Resident, also liked the Chinese train. It was required to have strong pulling power to go up slopes, uphill, but also to be light. The solution was several large wheels to spread the load.
Other sections of the museum are decade by decade. You learn a lot of history. Trains were nationalized before WW2 to co-ordinate transport. In those days railways were essential for moving troops and civilians. They had fewer private cars. Railway staff had special badges to give them status, designated to do useful and essential work for the war effort, so that members of the public would not berate them for being cowards who were able bodied but not fighting at the front.
Other exhibits include lanterns from the royal train. Much more is in store. No room to display it all at once.
Useful Websites
https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/visit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Railway_Museum
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer, blogger and author. She is a member of several Toastmasters clubs, Harrovian Speakers in the UK, two advanced clubs in Singapore, Braddell Heights Advanced and Tampines Changkat Advanced, and an online club, Singapore Online Dynamic. Clubs have websites and Facebook pages as well as being on Toastmasters International find a club.
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