The Flying Scotsman and ‘Hidden Histories’ Trail Headline Easter Fun at National Railway Museum

Thinking about what to do this Easter? If the thought of another afternoon staring at a screen is getting a bit old, there’s an adventure waiting in York that’s packed with giant machines, secret stories, and a world-famous celebrity. The National Railway Museum is rolling out a whole season of discovery that’s perfect for the entire family. This isn't just any old museum visit, it’s a chance to get up close with history and see some of the most incredible railway objects on the planet. The two big headliners for this Easter are the legendary Flying Scotsman locomotive and a brand-new, family-friendly trail called 'Hidden Histories', which promises to reveal secrets that are hiding in plain sight. Best of all, a visit to this amazing museum is completely free.

Uncover secret stories with the Hidden Histories trail

Ever walked past something in a museum and felt like there was more to it than meets the eye? The new Hidden Histories trail is all about that feeling. It’s a completely free, museum-wide adventure designed to get visitors to look a little closer at the incredible collection. It’s like being a detective for the day, hunting for clues and uncovering fascinating details you might have missed on a normal visit. This isn't just a walk around the galleries, the trail is packed with challenges that make exploring the history of the railway even more exciting. Families can have a go at cracking a secret code in the signalling gallery or see if they can design different-shaped tunnels over by the Eurostar. The whole point of the Easter trail is to show that even the most famous objects have surprising stories and clever bits of engineering hidden away. It's a fantastic way to explore the National Railway Museum's world-class collection.

The trail encourages a slower, more curious look at the exhibits, revealing how tiny design details and clever choices from the past shaped the railway journeys people took and even the trains used today. It’s a brilliant set of activities for a family day out. Sarah Price, who is the Head of Public Programmes at the museum, explained the idea behind the new event.

“Hidden Histories is all about encouraging visitors to slow down and look closer at the incredible stories hidden within our collection. From tiny design details to world-famous locomotives like Flying Scotsman, there’s something to surprise and inspire visitors of all ages this Easter.”

The pop-up activities and experiences will be changing throughout the Easter holidays, so it’s always a good idea for visitors to check the What’s On board when they arrive to see what’s happening during their visit. The hidden histories of the world's most famous trains are just waiting to be discovered.

Get up close with the world-famous Flying Scotsman

It's a name everyone knows, even if they're not a massive train fan. The Flying Scotsman is more than just a locomotive, it's a piece of history and a true icon of the railway. And this spring, it’s back home at the National Railway Museum in York. From 28 March to 24 April, this legendary engine will be on full 360-degree display on the turntable in the Great Hall. This is a rare chance for visitors to get right up close to this world-famous machine and see it from every angle. The museum, which actually owns the locomotive, is proud to offer this opportunity to see one of the jewels in its collection.

What makes the Flying Scotsman so special? Well, for a start, it was built just down the road in Doncaster way back in 1923. It began life as an A1 class engine and was later converted to an A3 class in 1947. But its real claim to fame is its record-breaking performance. In 1934, it became the first steam locomotive to be officially recorded hitting 100mph. Think about that for a second, a huge, 97-tonne machine powered by fire and water, travelling faster than cars on a motorway today. It was also the first locomotive to travel all the way around the globe, with tours across the USA, Canada, and Australia. This Easter, visitors don't just get to see a train, they get to stand next to a globetrotting, speed-record-smashing celebrity of the steam world.

Become an engineer for the day at Wonderlab

If looking at amazing machines inspires the younger visitors to build their own, then Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery is the place to be. Inside, the interactive Wonderlab Maker Hub is where budding engineers can get properly hands-on with some railway-themed science. It’s all about creating, testing, and tinkering with mini-experiments inspired by the incredible engineering of the railway. These hands-on activities give visitors a chance to build their own designs and then test them to see how they perform. It’s a brilliant, fun way to learn about science and see how even small changes can make a massive difference. The activities are included with a ticket to Wonderlab, and it’s a perfect addition to the free museum visit. It adds an extra layer of interactive fun, bringing the science behind the railway to life.

What makes the National Railway Museum so special?

The National Railway Museum in York is a truly massive place, and for good reason. It holds the largest collection of railway objects in the entire world. That’s a huge claim, but it's true. The collection features more than 260 locomotives and other vehicles, thousands of other railway-related objects, and a huge archive of over 1.75 million documents and photographs. It’s the most visited free attraction in the region, having welcomed nearly 40 million people since it opened in 1975.

The museum is a key part of the Science Museum Group, which is a family of famous museums including the Science Museum in London, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford. As a charity, the National Railway Museum relies on the generous support of individuals and businesses to help it preserve Britain’s rich railway history for future generations to enjoy. So while entry to the museum is free, every bit of support helps them continue their work. This Easter, whether it's solving clues on the trail, getting hands-on with science, or standing in awe of the Flying Scotsman, a visit to the National Railway Museum is a fantastic way to discover that on the railway, the biggest stories are often found in the smallest details.