The National Railway Museum in York reopens today (Wednesday) for the first time this year.
Since tickets were released two weeks ago, 10,219 people have booked their free tickets to visit the Leeman Road attraction.
The Locomotion railway museum at Shildon, County Durham, is also reopening. Both are part of the Science Museum Group which temporarily closed its five sites across the UK at the end of 2020 as part of the last lockdown.
As well as seeing the museum’s famous locomotives and carriages, visitors will see a new photographic exhibition called Railway Heroes which celebrates the work of railway workers during the pandemic.
There’s also a new audio trail which reveals details of York’s railway heritage.
Visitors are being asked to observe social distancing, wear a mask (unless exempt) and book online in advance.
Ticket numbers are limited to timed slots and entry will remain free of charge.
‘Really encouraging’ response
Director of the National Railway Museum Judith McNicol said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone who has booked a ticket, whether they are regular visitors, or those travelling to see us for the first time.
“The response so far has been really encouraging with more than 15,000 people registering to visit and we are really looking forward to reopening for the first time this year.”
Ahead of reopening, staff and volunteers have carried out additional cleaning with hand sanitiser and signage in place to help with social distancing.
The National Railway Museum will be open 10.00 –17.00, Wednesday to Sunday.
During school holidays, both museums will open seven days a week – Monday to Sunday.