Get on board at the National Railway Museum

The ultimate destination for train lovers, the National Railway Museum, is home to some of history’s most iconic locomotives. Set in a vast converted steam train depot, its giant halls are crammed with over 100 lovingly restored rail vehicles, including Mallard, the world’s fastest steam train, a working replica of Stephenson’s world-changing Rocket and of course, the iconic Flying Scotsman.

For a taste of modern technology, marvel at the Shinkansen bullet train locomotive from Japan in the Great Hall. This model was built in 1976 and ran until 2000, after which it was donated to the museum after an extensive renovation. The bullet train was Japan's first route dedicated to moving large numbers of people in comfort and at high speed.

Climb on board Queen Victoria’s opulent ‘Palace on Wheels’; watch engineers at work restoring the trains; pick through the world’s biggest collection of rail memorabilia and then refuel yourself in a Victorian-inspired dining car restaurant. 

The National Railway Museum is a short walk from the main train station, which is a three-hour train journey north from London.