I was at the NRM last Friday and came away with mixed feelings. On one hand I saw the streamlined Duchess of Hamilton, the Spam Can and the Rocket replica in steam for the first time, on the other hand 251 and Henry Oakley were not there. I asked some official, not wearing a red explainer jacket, where they were, but he did not seem to know what an Atlantic was and that the two engines were in the national collection. He did take me to the information corner, though, who said they were at Barrow Hill(?). This was in stark contrast to another conversation I had (the guy appears on the front of one of the brochures), where we talked about railways in general and the LNER in particular. He really knew his stuff!
To be honest, I'm not sure that York, or Shildon for that matter, are really providing what they should. Explainers and children's learning aids are all very well, but they are not providing the more detailed information (footplatemen excepted) which young enthusiasts and more mature visitors would like - even if we know it anyway. I would have like to have seen a decent description of every piece on display - why were they worth preserving anyway - and more videos explaining what railways were and still are about. Are audio guides also available? Opportunities lost, really.
Still, it was nice being back in God's own county.
Peter
NRM's J69 gone?!
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
Re: NRM's J69 gone?!
Its a really hard one to get right and no matter what the museum will do it will never be done correctly for some.
For example here aer some comments I have had firsthand from when I was an explainer....
"I think the engines should be better positioned and people not allowed near them" - This from a photographer.
"It would be nice if we could get inside more of the engines or closer to the exhibits" - Frmo a family group.
How could you make both of the above work? The obvious answer is you cant.
There isnt space to keep the entire collection in one place. Depending on who you speak to, some sfatt know exactly where soemthign is while others may not ( the cleaning team or shop assistants maybe?) however they do know who to ask and where the lists of our collection are, it seems they did the right thing taking you to in info point.
Im quite hot on where most of our collections etc are, when they last operated or where they have been. However teh other day I had someone walk up to me and asked me where vehicle 80659 was. I didnt know the answer or regognise the number. On checking I found it was a GWR wagon on loan to Didcot. You cant be an expert on everything.
What I would say to people who want to see the museum be better, join the Friends of the NRM and give something towards their projects, or come and volunteer with us. Its not as easy as you think.
PGBerrie, you should have come and said hello on Friday, I was driving Rocket, or at least supervising my fireman driving it for most of the day.
Andy
For example here aer some comments I have had firsthand from when I was an explainer....
"I think the engines should be better positioned and people not allowed near them" - This from a photographer.
"It would be nice if we could get inside more of the engines or closer to the exhibits" - Frmo a family group.
How could you make both of the above work? The obvious answer is you cant.
There isnt space to keep the entire collection in one place. Depending on who you speak to, some sfatt know exactly where soemthign is while others may not ( the cleaning team or shop assistants maybe?) however they do know who to ask and where the lists of our collection are, it seems they did the right thing taking you to in info point.
Im quite hot on where most of our collections etc are, when they last operated or where they have been. However teh other day I had someone walk up to me and asked me where vehicle 80659 was. I didnt know the answer or regognise the number. On checking I found it was a GWR wagon on loan to Didcot. You cant be an expert on everything.
What I would say to people who want to see the museum be better, join the Friends of the NRM and give something towards their projects, or come and volunteer with us. Its not as easy as you think.
PGBerrie, you should have come and said hello on Friday, I was driving Rocket, or at least supervising my fireman driving it for most of the day.
Andy
Re: NRM's J69 gone?!
(35029 restoration society , steaming the future 
)
mr B
)mr B
Re: NRM's J69 gone?!
It didn't click that there might be someone from the Forum working in the museum. I didn't take a ride behind Rocket, but did take a picture:ahardy wrote:PGBerrie, you should have come and said hello on Friday, I was driving Rocket, or at least supervising my fireman driving it for most of the day
Peter
Re: NRM's J69 gone?!
Peter,
Yep you snapped me there! The volunteers do a great job in the museum and I do recommend a trip to see the signalling school in action. I have had a go operating it one evening and it was brilliant fun.
If you are ever visiting again give me a shout, I like showing people around the museum, its amazing how much of the museum people walk past and miss out on some great exhibits and stories.
Andy
Yep you snapped me there! The volunteers do a great job in the museum and I do recommend a trip to see the signalling school in action. I have had a go operating it one evening and it was brilliant fun.
If you are ever visiting again give me a shout, I like showing people around the museum, its amazing how much of the museum people walk past and miss out on some great exhibits and stories.
Andy