Museum of Scottish Railways

29/05/2026

We are open this weekend - why not come and see the Museum as well as travel on Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, see the O Gauge model railway Bo'ness Gauge O Group and get a bite to eat at the Station Cafe!

18/05/2026

The historic Arbroath Gong will soon join the national collection at the Museum of Scottish Railways.
We are delighted that the historic Arbroath Signalling Gong will soon join the national collection at the Museum of Scottish Railways, where it will be carefully preserved, interpreted, and made accessible for future generations.

We know the gong holds great affection within the local community, and we fully recognise the important place it has had in Arbroath’s railway story over many years. Our aim is to ensure that this remarkable piece of railway heritage is not only safeguarded but also given the opportunity to be experienced and appreciated by visitors from across Scotland and beyond.

The Museum plans to display the gong on the approach to our main exhibition building, allowing visitors to get up close, learn about its history, and experience operating it for themselves. Restoration and conservation work will be undertaken by volunteers from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society using methods that respect the gong’s historic character and significance.

Its arrival also supports the Museum’s wider ambition to develop as a national centre of signalling knowledge, helping preserve both historic railway artefacts and the traditions and skills associated with them.

We look forward to sharing the story of the Arbroath Gong as part of Scotland’s Railway Experience.

18/05/2026

Our opening dates in 2026 are in line with the dates that Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway are open, to find out more see the timetable when trains are running here:

Discover the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway. Heritage steam and diesel trains, special events and the Museum of Scottish Railways

13/05/2026

“Scotland’s Railway at Night” has opened with a day of celebrations.
The Museum of Scottish Railways launched its 2026 exhibition, Scotland’s Railway at Night, on 2 May 2026. The opening generated strong local and national interest, and was supported by prominent media coverage in The Scotsman (print and digital).

The exhibition offers new public access to historic sleeping-car vehicles and a family-friendly interactive learning space, Railway Creatures of the Night, designed in collaboration with local schools and community wildlife partners to reveal the things that use the railway while we are sleeping.

Explore the 2026 exhibition on our website, link in comments:

09/05/2026

We are open this weekend so why not come along and enjoy a day out!

Steam trains running this weekend! Why not come along and enjoy a ride on our preserved coaches, visit Museum of Scottish Railways , Bo'ness Gauge O Group model railway and have a bite to eat in the Station Cafe?

On Sunday our planned DMU service has been cancelled for maintenance, but it should be out at our Spring Diesel Gala 15th - 17th May 2026, along with lots of other diesels in action!

📸Peter Backhouse.

07/04/2026

We are open for Easter School holidays with lots of things to do when steam trains are running.

04/04/2026

Scent-sational new ways to engage with the Museum of Scottish Railway’s collection this season with Scotland’s industrial heritage explored through smell with Dr William Tullett.
We recently invited members to describe how they remember Scotland’s railways smelling over the years. Unusual as the request was, the responses were enthusiastic and have helped us secure an exciting new opportunity.

We are delighted to be able to announce that MoSR and the branch will be a featured partner in Industrial Museums Scotland’s upcoming project, Sniffers in Residence: Using Smell to Engage Intergenerational Audiences with Industrial Heritage, funded by The British Academy’s SHAPE Involve and Engage fund.

We will be working with Dr William Tullett, Senior Lecturer at York University, whose research explores sensory history and the role of smell in shaping communities. As our “Sniffer in Residence,” William will help us to uncover the smells of Scotland’s railways and use them to tell its story in a scent-sational new way.

We are extremely grateful to Industrial Museums Scotland and to everyone who shared their nose-talgic recollections and helped us secure the bid. If you have your own smell‑related railway stories—big or small—contact Vicky in the MoSR archive. The more people involved, the better the project will be.

03/04/2026

It’s Easter, trains are running and the Museum is open!

Join us for an Easter Treat! Our first class dining car will be in operation & the Easter Bunny has a chocolate egg for all children travelling!

26/03/2026

Steam trains & a DMU this weekend at Bo’ness!
Make it a grand day out with a visit to our Museum of Scottish Railways and Bo’ness Gauge O Group model railway.

View Steam Train Tickets from Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway.

06/12/2025

We're all decked out and ready to welcome visitors for some festive fun.

Special Festive price for Adults of only £3!

KIDS GO FREE IN THE MUSEUM! Only Adults need a ticket and there's plenty on from new exhibitions to a fun festive trail, music and storytelling, there's something for everyone.

Open 11:00 to 15:30 (last admission 15:00) all days except 24 December when we are closing at 13:30 ( last admission 13:00).

On Sunday 7 December there’s a pop up Christmas Market with stalls full of gifts and treats from local crafters at Bo’ness Station. Free admission.

We look forward to seeing you!