NRM workshop

There is discussion on the https://national-preservation.com/threads/60007-4498-sir-nigel-gresley-overhaul.678201/ thread about the NRM's intention to convert their workshop into a "kids' playground" and to build a new workshop. Some further discussion of that seems worthwhile but surely belongs in this section, hence this new thread.

We know very little so far about the proposed new workshop. It could be anything from a small facility for minor repairs or construction of bits and pieces for the Museum to a bigger and better version of the present workshop. Nor do we know whether visitors will be able to see the work being done there. Nor do we know which of the present machinery will be moved to the new workshop or left in the old one as static exhibits. So this could be a good development or a very bad one, though I fear the latter.

 

Given the way various funding bodies favour the 'visitor experience' and 'interpretation' etc, I would be surprised if any new workshop did not allow for some sort of visitor access/viewing area regardless of it's size.

 

We can but hope... Like MellishR, I think it could go either way... The Museum needs an overhaul facility, but will current management see and understand this, or will it be another opportunity lost in a quest to get as many non-interested people as possible through the door and spending money. I also fear the latter.
I used to love going to the NRM, I would always come away having learned something new... Last time I was there I found precious little to learn from... The information was solely aimed at children and non-enthusiasts, from what I saw.

Richard.

 

As far as I am concerned, the NRM lost the plot when they removed the second turntable. Ever since then, the place has been in terminal decline.

 

Having met them several times, I believe Andrew Scott and Richard Gibbon were genuine railway enthusiasts and the place hasn't been the same since they left.

 

The last major locomotive overhaul to be managed in-house was Flying Scotsman. As everyone knows that was a disaster (or if you don’t know search for the Meanley report) and completion of the loco had to be contracted elsewhere overseen by external engineering consultants. I assume future major projects would be managed in a similar way therefore much less of a need for in-house facilities. In recent years the workshop has been rented out for a non-NRM project (60007) since the NRM presumably had not enough work for it. Bit of a shame really.

 

Could you explain how the removal of a turntable has had such a drastic effect?

 

What happened to the second turntable, has it been re used somewhere else ?

 

It went tothe NYMR at Pickering, where it has been installed and in use for many years now.

 

York was the last surviving depot with TWO under cover turntables....

 

..... and now the remaining turntable does not work and there is no money in the kitty to pay to have it repaired. Make of that what you will.

Peter

 

I'm not sure that quite reflects the 'terminal decline' you think it does…

Simon

 

But it has gone downhill ever since.

 

Downhill in what way?

 

So? If there are better/different ways to display the collection, then the historic layout of the building shouldn't be a limiting factor.

When the museum opened in the 1970s, it had little resemblance to the earlier steam depot anyway.

 

True, but it is very unfortunate if a failure of the turntable prevents easy changes to the display of exhibits on and around it.

 

More unfortunate is the fact that "easy changes to the display of exhibits (ie rolling stock) on and around the turntable is not on the current SMG agenda so there is no great pressure to fix it. Moving large exhibits about requires a degree of staff experience in such matters and sadly such staff are very thin on the ground these days.

Peter

 

I think the attitude of the NRM is 'if you want a railway museum to look at old trains then you can go to Shildon so stop complaining.'

 

I won't say what I think the NRM's attitude is, as I want to keep it polite - Suffice to say that I am extremely grateful that we still have a community within Railway preservation which is interested in keeping the knowledge of our Railway history alive and well, and sharing it with others as a legitimate and serious subject.

I will say this - I believe there's a Hell of a lot more technical knowledge and expertise of British Railway Engineering and operation on this forum than there is within the NRM these days.

Richard.

 

A museum is generally there to conserve, display and educate.

The little active running of National Collection locos doesn't seem to justify the need to retain complex engineering facilties and detailed technical skills - particularly when their income is tightly managed by government.

We have the heritage railways and the likes of Rileys etc to provide these facilities and skill training, at a level which is financially sustainable.