An ornate wheel for a rail engine displayed at National Railway Museum in York, England.
Railway Engine Wheel Design
Category Archives: England
Mallard Locomotive
Mallard is an A4 class locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley located at National Railway Museum, York. The A4s were built to power high-speed trains in the late 1930s, and their shape was honed in a wind tunnel to help them cut through the air as cleanly as possible. This powerful, aerodynamic masterpiece rocketed to 126mph in 1938, a steam speed record that was never surpassed.
The locomotive is 70 ft long and weighs 168 tons, including the tender. It is painted LNER garter blue with red wheels and steel rims.
Coach from the Past
A replica of a coach built in 1930, based on one built in 1834 – railway carriage, ‘Traveler’, four wheeled, 1st Class, Liverpool & Manchester Railway at National Railway Museum, York, England.
Rocket Replica
Rocket was designed by Robert Stephenson in 1829, and built at the Forth Street Works of his company in Newcastle upon Tyne. Though the Rocket was not the first steam locomotive, it was the first to bring together several innovations to produce the most advanced locomotive of its day.
This replica of Stephenson’s “Rocket” is housed in the National Railway Museum in York. The original has been preserved and is on display in the Science Museum in London.
York Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum in York tells the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. Visitors can see amazing rail vehicles including Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive and step back into the 1970s Japan as you climb aboard the Japanese ‘bullet train’.
York Minster from the Walls
No visit to York is complete without a stroll along part of the 2 miles of historic walls that have protected the city for nearly 2000 years. The York City Walls offer spectacular views including those of York Minster.
York City Wall and Memorial
York’s city center is surrounded by historic walls. At 3.4 kilometers long, the beautifully preserved walls are the longest medieval town walls and are the most complete in England. They were built mainly in the 13th century on top of older earth banks.
York City Walls
York has, since Roman times, been defended by walls of one form or another. To this day, substantial portions of the walls remain, and York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls.
York City War Memorial
The York City War Memorial is a First World War memorial located in York in the north of England. The memorial stands in the War Memorial Gardens. It comprises the War Cross design by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with a slender tapering cross. The base consists of four stepped rectangular blocks of unequal heights standing upon a square, undercut platform which, in turn, stands upon two further square blocks and two square, shallow steps.
A Timepiece from the Past
The first clock at St Martin Church in York, England was installed in 1668. The version (below) of the Little Admiral was created in 1779 and the bracket was added in 1856. Also notice the golden face of Father Time. The timepiece was extensively restored in 2012. Since then, its eight bells chime on the hour and quarter hour.
The Grand Hotel in York
Originally built in 1906 as a ‘Palace of Business’ for the headquarters of The North Eastern Railway Company in York, then one of the richest businesses in Britain, The Grand was restored to the splendor of its Edwardian heyday during its transformation into a luxury hotel in 2010. The enchanting Edwardian brick façade of this impressive heritage building is accentuated by an iconic double-decker bus in the image below.
A Famous Tea Room in York
Few visitors to York fail to visit Bettys. Founded in 1919, Bettys’ mouth-watering cakes, refreshing teas and friendly smiles have made it world famous. The menus feature a unique mix of continental classics and British favorites – plus, of course, Bettys’ legendary afternoon tea.
Picturesque Street in York
Harry Potter fans come because it looks like Diagon Alley, but The Shambles in York has also been voted Britain’s most picturesque street in the Google Street View awards. The buildings on either side of this 14th-century walking precinct are decorated with hanging flower baskets.
A Modern Deli in an Old Building
Henshelwoods Delicatessen established in1998 in an old building is a corner of foodie heaven in the heart of historic York, nestled at the side of The Shambles Market.
Shambles Hub
Shambles Market, York also hosts its very own food court – a central hub filled with street food delights. Buildings from the past add to the charm of the the Shambles.
The Shop That Must Not Be Named
With its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, Shambles in York is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the movie adaptation of the Harry Potter series. The Shop That Must Not Be Named was originally created due to Potter fans all over the world travelling to York to catch a glimpse of The Shambles. Harry Potter fans converge on this cozy shop that carries wands, books, jewelry & other novelties. There is even a place to park their brooms!
Shambles Market, York
Shambles is one of York’s most famous landmarks and one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. With its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, it is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the movie adaptation of the Harry Potter series. “Shambles” is an obsolete term for an open-air slaughterhouse and meat market. Shambles Market features over 70 stalls offering something for everyone, including local arts and crafts, fresh foods, fashion, flowers, and everyday items.
St. Helen’s Tower
Located in the very center of York, St. Helen’s Stonegate is easily recognizable by its distinctive lantern tower. The church we see today dates back to the fourteenth century. It was declared redundant in 1551 and partially demolished, but survived and was later brought back into use. It was reconstructed between 1857 and 1858. The tower was rebuilt between 1875 and 1876.
St. Helen’s Church, York
Located in Stonegate, St Helen’s is a small church is possibly one of the oldest churches in York, being built on the line of the roman Via Praetoria, although much of the present building is 19th century. Stonegate is a street in the city center of York, in England, one of the streets most visited by tourists. Today the beautiful buildings that line the street are a mixture of Medieval & Georgian which give the place a unique character. There are many boutique shops and often street entertainers.
Taking a Shot of York Minster
Figures released in March 2023 by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) reveal that York Minster welcomed 620,591 visitors for worship and tourism last year. That was up by 133 per cent on the figure of 266,183 in 2021 and not far short of the cathedral’s record visitor number of 706,484 in 2019. Taking photographs of the minster is prevalent.
