Case Studies
North York Moors Historical Railway Trust Yorventure Visitor Centre - £33,000
Environmental ProjectPickering Railway Station is 2 miles from the Caulklands Landfill Site. The Grade 2 listed Station is undergoing a major restoration.
This project contributed to the conversion and extension of a former pump house to create a Visitor Centre and picnic area, specifically the fitting out and interpretation within the Centre. The overall aim of the project is to enhance visitor experience by providing materials and displays depicting the impact the railway has had on the development of the local community.
The new Centre, which was officially opened in October 2010 by Steve Grieve, Managing Director of Yorwaste, and Neil Carrigan, Chair of Yorventure, provides a bright modern space, with room for visitors to circulate and linger over the displays. The layout of the exhibition has a museum feel, with cabinets and models being centred in rooms. The exhibition is divided into two distinct areas. The first room – the History Room interprets the railway’s history chronologically around the centre piece of an interactive touch model. The second room – the Railway Room – presents key themes located around a central display cabinet.
Interactive features are included in both areas. Smoke-box door flaps reveal facts and figures presented by the Tracker Jack character, Smut the cat presents acrylic rubbing panels from which children make up a drawing. There are various other games – ‘fit the uniform’ to match different time periods and matching loads to correct goods wagons. The games are fun and educational and allow parents to enjoy graphic displays whilst the children are occupied.
