The National Railway Museum is carrying out excavations on its site in York, aiming to uncover historical artefacts before it redevelops the premises.

Working with York Archaeology, the Museum is digging in an area of its Great Hall outdoor courtyard, which it believes may contain Roman and Medieval items.

The Museum opened in 1975, the first national museum to be located outside London. Its Vision 2025 programme will see extensive redevelopment, so it is important that it takes this opportunity to check the site.

It is offering short tours of the excavation site tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. Visitors will have the opportunity to enter and see the dig site and will receive a presentation of material found in this and other similar digs relating to railway history.

Archaeologists have already found former Victorian railway buildings in the site, which are likely to have been linked to coal storage for steam engines.

A member of York Archaeology will lead tours of the dig tomorrow and on Saturday. Tours will last around fifteen minutes and are available between 12.00 and 16.00 on Friday 26 and 09.00 and 13.00 on Saturday 27 May.

Tickets are free and must be booked in advance, Book your ticket on this website: click on ‘National Railway Museum Excavation Site Tours’.

Verity Faircliffe, Client Project Manager for Vision 2025 at the National Railway Museum, said: “These digs form an essential part of our site redevelopment programme. York is a city steeped in history and we’re excited to see what may be uncovered under our site.

“It has been great to work with York Archaeology on this project and we’re delighted that, with them, we can offer the public an opportunity to see the dig site and learn a little more about what has been found and the history of York’s railways.”

Dr. Paul Flintoft, Regional Manager for York Archaeology, added: “You can dig just about anywhere in York and almost guarantee you’ll uncover parts of its rich history, so we’re very much looking forward to what we find here.

“As we find with any dig around the city, there is a huge interest from the general public who are keen to know what we are hoping to discover – enthusiasm shared by our team of archaeologists as we dig deeper on this fascinating site.”