North Shed, National Railway Museum (2024) by National Railway MuseumNational Railway Museum
The Weird and Wonderful
2025 marks the National Railway Museum's 50th birthday! Over the decades a number of unique and interesting items have made their way into the collection.
Our curators have selected just a few of their favourite objects.
1. Gunpowder Van Boot
These over-boots are no ordinary piece of uniform. Their wooden soles served a critical safety function. Worn by workers handling gunpowder vans, the wooden soles helped reduce the risk of generating sparks, a serious hazard when dealing with such highly flammable material.
Gunpowder was transported on the railways for many different reasons. While essential to military operations, it was equally vital in mining and quarrying industries. As gunpowder vans were phased out, so too were these early examples of personal protective equipment.
Model Railway Carriage made from the Wreck of the PS Princess Alice (Circa. 1890) by William ConeyNational Railway Museum
2. Model Railway Carriage
At first glance, this may look like a typical model of a third-class carriage, but it hides a morbid secret. It was crafted using wood salvaged from the wreck of the SS Princess Alice, a paddle steamer that sank in the River Thames in 1878, resulting in a huge loss of life.
Why William Coney chose this as his building material is unknown. A professional carriage builder for the Great Eastern Railway until 1919, Coney brought expert craftsmanship to the model. Its high-quality construction and unusual origin make it a truly remarkable artefact.
3. Model of Early Steam Locomotive
This model also has an interesting, if contested, provenance.
It has been attributed to clockmaker William West and influential engineers Timothy Hackworth and Richard Trevithick. Though the exact maker remains uncertain, the model’s importance is clear.
It is possibly the first twin-cylinder steam locomotive, doubling the power and improving stability by reducing sway. This design stands as a prototype for all fossil-fuel-powered vehicles that followed.
Model of Grew's Locomotive for Ice (circa 1861) by Maker unknownNational Railway Museum
4. Model of Grew's Locomotive for Ice
At first glance, this appears to be a regular steam locomotive, but look a little closer and this engine begins to seem more unusual. This model is of a locomotive built for use in Russia, designed to transport passengers and cargo across frozen rivers.
At the front of the engine are blades, similar to ice skates. The wheels were spiked to provide traction on the ice. Though these engines did run in Russia for a time, they failed to gain popularity and are now little remembered curiosities of the early railways.
5. Great Western Railway Locomotive Headlamp
The highly ornate crown atop this lamp makes it clear, this is no ordinary headlamp. Created by the Great Western Railway to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, the lamp was both a tribute and a symbol of royal association.
In 1896 Queen Victoria became Britain's longest reigning monarch, The following year's jubilee was a national celebration. Queen Victoria frequently travelled in GWR saloons, making it fitting that the railway would honour her with this specially crafted lamp.
6. Letter from Charles Dickens
This handwritten letter from Charles Dickens was addressed to James Kingett, Superintendent of the Great Western Railway. Over a month prior, Dickens had been expecting a 30lb turkey for his Christmas dinner, but the train carrying it was destroyed by fire.
Here, Dickens notes the loss was taken “in good humour.” In contrast a message sent on Christmas Eve read:
"WHERE IS THAT TURKEY? IT HAS NOT ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!"
This letter offers a glimpse into the final festive season of the author who shaped our modern idea of Christmas.
Class 37 D6700 Leaving National Railway Museum (2022) by National Railway MuseumNational Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is home to countless unusual and unexpected treasures.
More of this vibrant collection can be explored on Google Arts & Culture, or in person at the museum itself.
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