All museums have stories to tell and the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York is no exception. Between 10 February and 6 September 2010 there will be even more tales to tell when a new exhibition brings the romance and excitement of international travel to the Museum.

Once Upon a Tide is a free exhibition sponsored by Stena Line BV, in partnership with the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht. The exhibition originated from the ideas in a PhD entitled "Gateways to Europe: the experience of passengers between the Netherlands and Great Britain 1880-1984", which was supported by Abellio Foundation. The exhibition explores the tales of over 100 years of North Sea ferry crossings between Harwich and the Hook, when ferries were part of the British Railways fleet, through the memories of the people who used it and the poster artwork that sold it.

A roll-on roll-off ferry will take centre stage at the NRM throughout the duration of Once Upon a Tide, enabling visitors to walk onto the deck and experience the Museum's turntable as they've never seen it before.


















Since 1867 ferries transporting passengers to Holland have been one of Britain's main links with Europe. In 1890, the service began calling at the Hook, which was connected to the rest of Europe by rail in 1904. For the next 60 years, a system of boat trains linked with the day and night sailings from Harwich and until the 1970's the trains and ferries would wait for each other before departure.

Passengers used the system of international rail and ferry connections to get from all over the UK, on trains like the Hook Continental from Liverpool Street station, to Europe's holiday hot spots including Switzerland, Berlin and Rome.

Many of the passengers that have used this service over the years have sent their memories to the Museum as part of an appeal held earlier this year. To enhance Once Upon a Tide's stunning visuals these recollections will be on display, bringing to life tales of rough crossings, Dutch kindness and holiday adventures.

The exhibition will take visitors on a journey from 1890 to the present day enabling them to reminisce about their experiences whether they involve motor-holidays or backpacking. Kids will be able to join in with a variety of 'I spy' games, story telling and craft activities.

After it closes in September 2010, objects featuring in the exhibition will travel across the North Sea to the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht so Dutch visitors can also reminisce about the historic ferry route.

































National Railway Museum