More than 3,500 people visited the gala at Locomotion in Shildon this weekend to mark the museum's 15th birthday.
Visitors were able to ride on a replica Rocket and explore the free activities and demonstrations.
One of the highlights was a ceremony where a GB Railfreight class 66 diesel engine was named ‘Locomotion 15' in the museum's honour.
A special surprise guest at the event was HST class 43, power car no.43002 Sir Kenneth Grange.
The power car is going on permanent display at the NRM in York.
Visitors to the gala were also able to ride on a miniature railway provided by South Durham Model Engineers and access the cabs of many of the museum's 70 rail vehicles.
Locomotion was first opened by then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2004, as a partnership between Sedgefield Borough Council and the National Railway Museum
What did the officials say?
Dr Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion, said:
“I would like to thank everyone who attended our 15th birthday event and GBRf for the honour of naming ‘Locomotion 15' after the museum. We have ambitious plans to continue to improve and expand Locomotion which I look forward to sharing with our visitors in the coming years.”
Bob Tiller, GBRf Engineering Director, said;
“We are thrilled to unveil ‘Locomotion 15' to celebrate the success of the museum on its 15th anniversary. The work Locomotion do to showcase the history of the railways is an inspiration and I hope visitors are encouraged to find out more about the important role rail freight plays across the country.”
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