The National Railway Museum has built a growing collection of 25 contemporary objects as work progresses towards a major new permanent exhibition, Railway Futures: The Porterbrook Gallery, set to open in 2027.

The gallery will form part of the York museum’s Central Hall welcome building and has been made possible by a £2.5 million partnership with Porterbrook.

Exploring how railways are shaping society, technology and the environment, Railway Futures reflects the museum’s growing commitment to telling the story of rail’s past, present and future.

The items, which represent cutting-edge innovation within the sector, have been sourced from a variety of donors, including start-ups, multinational rail companies, public and private sector organisations, academic institutions - and even space agencies.

Through these objects, interactive exhibits, case studies, and first-hand stories from rail professionals and communities, visitors will be encouraged to reflect on what matters most to them - and how innovation could support a better railway.

Designed as a dynamic and evolving space, Railway Futures will invite visitors to engage with key contemporary challenges – including climate change, social equity, public safety, and economic resilience – and to consider the role that rail will play in addressing them.

Real-world developments already underway – such as decarbonisation efforts, new digital technologies, and investment in skills – will also be highlighted, sparking contemplation on how these changes might impact everyday lives and how the industry is innovating and adapting.

The first exhibit to be confirmed is the groundbreaking fuel cell from HydroFLEX; the pathfinding heavy-rail hydrogen passenger train developed and tested by Porterbrook.

HydroFLEX works by feeding hydrogen from high-pressure tanks into fuel cells, where a chemical process converts the hydrogen and oxygen from the air to generate clean electricity. The only emission from the train is water.

With a particular focus on 15- to 25-year-olds, the gallery will encourage creativity and critical thinking, inviting young people to consider their hopes for the future and how the railways might help to realise them.

Director of the National Railway Museum, Craig Bentley said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to Porterbrook for their generous support, which has made this ambitious, future-focused gallery possible. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and inspiring the next generation to consider a career in the industry. It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when the heritage and industry sectors come together with a common purpose.”

Porterbrook CEO, Mary Grant, said:

“Our partnership with the National Railway Museum is driven by a collective desire to make sure that this industry’s most exciting days are ahead of us, not behind.

“Many thousands of young people visit every year and are filled with awe and wonder at the remarkable stories and engineering feats of the last two centuries. We hope Railway Futures lights the spark that inspires a new generation to take the baton and create the next chapters in the story.”