Museum of Scottish Railways
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Bo'ness
What it’s like
Climb aboard a vintage Glasgow Subway car and have a go at working the signals, all for free entry to the exhibition halls.
The exhibition halls here are free to get into, which is rare for a museum with actual vintage vehicles you can climb aboard. Kids can get into a Glasgow Subway car, sort letters on the old Travelling Post Office, or have a go at operating points and signals like a real signaller. The sleeper coaches are newly accessible too, so you can walk through carriages that used to rattle north overnight.
New for 2026 is Scotland's Railway at Night exhibition, with a Journey of a Night-Time through Time and a Railway Creatures of the Night trail running May to October, alongside a family friendly sensory trail over the same months. That's a decent spread of things to hunt out on a single visit rather than a quick look round. The main season runs April to October with train running days from 11 to 4.30, and last entry is 4pm, so don't turn up at half three expecting the full run of the place. There are select dates in February too, but those close earlier at 3pm.
It's at Bo'ness Station, right in the town centre, with free parking on site and level access from the car park to the entrance via the footbridge crossing. Wheelchair users get a lift to the Viewing Gallery and ramp access to vehicles where it's possible, which is more thought than a lot of railway museums put in. There's a café on site and a gift shop for the inevitable request on the way out.
Guided tours can be booked ahead or picked up on the day if there's space, so if you fancy more than a wander round you don't strictly need to plan in advance. Parking's free and there are electric charging points a short walk away at Union Street, which is a handy bonus if you're driving any distance to get there.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 16:00 (April–October), 14:30 (February)
- Parking
- Free on-site parking with accessible spaces
- Wheelchairs
- Level access throughout. Wheelchair accessible lift to Viewing Gallery
- Getting there by bus or train
- M9 Junction 5 or 3, follow brown tourist signs to Bo'ness
- Exhibition hall entry is free, so it's a low-cost option if you're already in Bo'ness
- Last entry is 4pm in the main season and 2.30pm on the February dates
- Electric car charging points are a short walk away at Union Street Car Park
- The sensory trail and night-themed exhibits run May to October, not all year
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Access to the exhibition halls is free.
Do we need to book?
No booking needed for general entry. Guided tours can be booked in advance or you can try on the day if there's space.
What are the opening hours?
April to October it's 11am to 4.30pm on train running days, with last entry at 4pm. There are select dates in February too, running 11am to 3pm with last entry at 2.30pm.
Is there parking?
Free on-site parking with accessible spaces at Bo'ness Station.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
Level access throughout, including from the car park to the entrance over the footbridge. There's a lift to the Viewing Gallery and ramp access to vehicles where possible.
How do we get there by car?
Come off the M9 at Junction 5 or 3 and follow the brown tourist signs to Bo'ness. The postcode for satnav is EH51 9AQ.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's a café on site.
What's new to see in 2026?
Scotland's Railway at Night exhibition, plus a Journey of a Night-Time through Time and a Railway Creatures of the Night trail, both running May to October.
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