Unfortunately today was the day that I was slated to leave Edinburgh for the next port of call on my trip - York. I say "unfortunately", as I had really enjoyed my stay in Edinburgh. I could certainly visit here again for a longer stay and to visit the other parts of Scotland.

My taxi ride to the train station was short but enjoyable, as I had a great conversation with the cabbie while we were stuck in traffic for a little while. After things had cleared, the taxi dropped me off at the station and I made my way down to the platform to wait for my train. We were informed that a computer problem had voided all seat reservations so it was basically first-in-best-dressed for a seat. I made sure to be close to the front of the line so that I could grab a seat.

The train trip was as uneventful as the one up and, after an hour and a half or so, we arrived in York. I hopped out, grabbed my suitcase and hopped into a cab to take me to my hotel. The room I had booked was small with a single bed, so the reception clerk added breakfast for free. I dropped my bags in my room and headed out to have a quick look around the centre of York.

The Park Inn is located right on the river and between two of the bridges that cross it. A short walk was all that was required to cross over the river and head into the old town of York see the beautiful York Minster. The building had existed on this site in various forms form about 1500 years and the current building has been in existence since the mid 12th century (although construction was being carried out on various parts for several hundred years after). It is a glorious and imposing building and certainly is worth seeing when visiting York. After taking some photographs around the Minster, I wandered through a few of the streets, picked up some lovely nut brittle and headed back over the river to check out the National Railroad Museum.

It was a bit of a walk through the tunnel that runs under the train lines but the NRM is worth seeing, especially if you are a train enthusiast. The main building houses some great examples of old train engines, including the Mallard, which holds the world speed record for steam locomotives (over 200kph). There is a great cutaway of a steam locomotive, showing the internal workings at full-size. There is also a full size model of the front of a Eurostar train in a mockup tunnel section, which shows just how much space there is (or isn't) between the train and the tunnel walls when it zooms under the Channel.

In the neighbouring section, there is a cafe that has been set up as a railway station and it contains some of the royal carriages used by Queen Victoria on her journeys. It is possible to go onboard most of the carriages and engines, which shows just how things have changed over time in terms of comfort and technology. There is also a couple of model railways set up which are fun to watch and there are play areas for kids. I recommend it for any visitors to York.

After a while, though, I was getting tired so I hiked back to my hotel, bought some fish and chips from a local store and headed in for an early night.