locomotion: the national railway museum at shildon

I'll be honest, with free entry and half term I wasn't expecting a lot. However I was pleasantly surprise. What a fantastic museum. Loads of exhibits and some genuinely interesting trains and carriages. Entry is free but do try and leave a donate to help the good work. If you are going, check on the website as to what is on as it is worth timing your trip to coincide with the running of the trains

Always more to see at locomotion. We are regular visitors, often popping in for a couple of hours, or longer. Whilst it is free, they do have costs, so we encourage folks to make a donation in their collecting boxes. Good place to take family, our grandkids love it. In holidays, they always have FREE events on for the kids.

We visited with our three girls and a friends family with their two girls. The museum is well presented and modern. Although perhaps the adults were more interested in the rolling stock than the little ones it's fair to say that there was something for all of us.The girls loved drawing pictures of the trains and doing some brass rubbings and were really interested in the activities as we passed them. Stocking a train carriage with produce and shunting carriages around were two highlights they still talk about a couple of months later.The shop had some lovely gifts and was a welcome opportunity to stock up on a few small, more unusual christmas presents for stockings. For a free museum you really couldn't ask for more and I'm sure in warmer weather with events on it offers a whole lot more to visitors. Faultless! Will visit again soon

My grandchildren ages 9,5,3 and 6month love to visit the museum they have been many times and each time find something different to catch their attention they love doing the crafts that the museum put out and have fun playing connect four and building the bricks into the tallest tower. We usually take a picnic with us and have eaten inside and out

This Museam is one of several from York, through Darlington to Shildon.Known widely to Rail Enthusiasts, Shildon was the base of Timothy Hackworth and 'Stephenson's Rocket.You cannot fail to be impressed.

This is a good example of a modern railway museum. As well as having an interesting range of locomotives and rolling stock, there are plenty of activities for kids to do, a very well stocked shop and a reasonable cafe. The whole site is quite big, and it's quite easy to not realise that there are plenty of other buildings away from the main building. Good day out though.

We had a day out from Newcastle and stopped by the Railway museum in Darlington at North Rd (on the line to Shildon and Bishop Auckland). We had to change trains at Darlington central station for the line to Bishop Auckland. If you go by train, check the time tables for the train times since there aren't so many trains running during the day. We stayed for about two hours and started with lunch in the little café. We took the soup of the day which was tomato soup and it was good at a reasonable price. They also had lunch boxes for school kids, sandwiches and lasagne. The museum has lots of different locomotives and wagons. The locomotive that was in the film "The Railway Children" is there. They have events now and then throughout the year too. The museum is free of charge and there is a little shop too. It's easy to find the museum if you come by train. Just follow the signs. There is also a playground near by with a railway theme.

Nothing to dislike it is full of nostalgia , if you love steam trains this is the place for you. The staff are so helpful and friendly I loved every second I was there . Wonderful day out.

This is an amazing attraction which allows visitors to get up close to locomotives and visit period correct railway houses and offices from the age of steam. Coming from Crewe we were happy to find Cornwall Steam Engine in the museum as it was originally built in Crewe. We loved our visit and would happily go again.

Visited yesterday after seeing some of the trains on loan there from York. Extremely friendly staff, great shop and café but most importantly brilliant exhibition of trains, wagons etc. Well worth a visit. Free entry and free parking. A great day out with a lovely nearby walk to Shildon station.

Visited the museum as have a 2 year old son, and enjoyed the experience, lots to do for children, there isn't a fee for entry but the museum do ask for donations, the parking is free. would take the children back here again.

I was surprised how much had been done to the centre to attract the visitors, with the selection of trains to see

An excellent free attraction. Plenty to amuse and entertain young and old alike. Educational and ejoyable.

This centre is an extention to the main centre in York. It is a little distance from car park to the centre, but the gentle walk is reasonably pleasant. Unfortunately some dog owners are irresponsible and that make for not too nice a walk, especially in the hot summer months. Once at the centre, entry is free and there are a variety of locomotives to whet the taste of most train enthusiast. There are information boards and some interactive displays for the children. Some trains you can board and have a look around,others are cordened for health and safety reasons. There is a small cafe inside which can be a little pricey. There is also a steam train that you can board that runs up and down the track. About 1/4 of a mile each way. This ride is chargeable.Then if you are bitten by the bug, than you need and want to visit the main museum in York.

We visited as a family today 16.01.1015 and thought they would have more, but did enjoy what was on display. We would go again when they have other stuff on and now realise that not everything is at this site. The food in the cafe was nice and all the staff/volunteers are very helpful and answered any questions we had.