Education and School Visits

We can offer a range of resources for primary school groups visiting the Museum covering STEM curriculum topics such as the science and technology behind operating the railway as well as the social history of the line and local industries, the workforce, and the Railway’s place in the Eskdale community.

We can also offer sessions for older students and colleges – please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Learning Resources

These resources share the stories of the railway, its people and the local area. They support particularly local children to learn more about their heritage. Our Schools Resource Document can be downloaded here

These sessions reflect three important themes in the Railway’s history. Themes have activities relating to STEM, literacy, art, history and information technology.

Communication

  • Story-telling in a museum and making a museum display
  • Writing for museums
  • Signalling with paddles, lamps, levers, pulleys and electric circuits

Ingenuity

  • Navvies
  • A day in the life of a steam engine driver
  • The remarkable Mary Fair
  • Ratty people saving the railway
  • Strong structures at the railway and a bridge-building challenge

Energy & Power

  • Energy in the Eskdale valley: making a video presentation
  • Starting Synolda – working a steam locomotive
  • Locomotion and moving a train
  • Power: which turbine is best?

Synolda Steam Locomotive

Learning

If you would like more information for Railway group visits and itineraries, please contact us. Entry to the museum is free as part of a group visit to the railway. We can provide material for establishments to prepare learning material in advance of their visit. Out of hours, evening or guided tours can be arranged on request.