The National Railway Museum (NRM) has won the Classic Award at the Museum and Heritage Show Awards for Excellence.

Since becoming the first national to open outside London in 1975, the Museum has been extended to include three large halls spread across 17 acres of land close to York City centre.

Following the opening of a new wing, called The Works, in 1999 and a new exhibition featuring a Japanese Bullet Train in 2001 the museum has been awarded the title of European Museum of the Year, Yorkshire Visitor Attraction of the Year and the Dibner Award.

The NRM is also looking to expand further with the opening of a new out-station at Shildon in Co Durham next year. The museum introduced free admission for all in 2001 and attracts around 740,000 visitors a year. Details: www.nrm.org.uk