Museum of Scottish Railways

About the museum

The Museum of Scottish Railways stands behind Bo'ness Station and is run by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, the charity that also operates the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. The society's large collection of Scottish railway objects forms the core of the museum, and this core collection has been recognised as a collection of national significance.

The museum occupies three large buildings and is the largest building group on the railway site. Its two exhibition halls display locomotives, carriages, sleeping cars, wagons and signalling equipment, alongside smaller items such as books, crockery, photographs and documents. Among the engines are the narrow gauge Fair Maid of Foyers of 1899, North British Railway locomotives from 1887 and 1891, and the Gordon Highlander of 1920, which is on loan from Riverside Museum.

Visitors can step into a vintage Glasgow Subway car, sort letters in a Travelling Post Office, operate points and signals in a signal box and walk through sleeper coaches. A viewing gallery lets visitors watch restoration work in progress. A new exhibition on Scotland's railway at night opened for 2026.

The museum is open on selected days from April to October and for special events during the rest of the year.

Highlights

• Locomotives such as Fair Maid of Foyers and the Gordon Highlander
• Vintage Glasgow Subway car
• Travelling Post Office where visitors can sort letters
• Signal box with working points and signals
• Viewing gallery overlooking restoration work

Permanent exhibitions

• The Scottish Railway Exhibition – Locomotives, carriages, wagons, signalling equipment, archives and small objects that tell the story of railways in Scotland.
• Hands-on railway attractions – A vintage Glasgow Subway car, a Travelling Post Office, a working signal box and sleeper coaches to explore.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Scottish Railway Preservation Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Access to the exhibition halls is currently free. Tickets can be booked in advance online, at the front desk or at the Station Booking Office on running days. Train rides on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is level access from the accessible crossing by the footbridge to the main entrance, toilets, shop, café area and exhibition halls. The viewing gallery has level access and a wheelchair accessible lift, with accessible toilets in the same building. Ramps lead to some of the vehicles on display. The sleeper coaches have been made accessible, and a downloadable site map is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Seasonal and sensory trails run throughout the year, there are storytelling sessions in the story coach, and an interactive night pod called Railway Creatures of the Night. Hands-on activities include the Travelling Post Office, the signal box and the Glasgow Subway car. The disabled toilet has baby changing.

Getting there & parking

Bo'ness Station is in the town centre. By car take junction 3 or 5 of the M9 and follow the brown tourist signs. Express Taxis (01506 824244) has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A small café area and a small gift shop are in the museum; the station buffet and main gift shop open only on railway running days. Toilets include a disabled toilet with baby changing.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit