THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
EDUCATION PACK: ACTIVITY and
INFORMATION SHEETS
What follows is a list of the activity and information sheets in this pack. These can be
photocopied for class use and are presented in the pack as double sided. How these sheets are
used is up to the class teacher and very much depends on the class topic and level.
These notes will explain each of the sheets.
MUSEUM OBSERVATION TRAIL This sheet is suitable for either groups or pairs, who can go
round the Museum and find what the details in the photos belong to. The answer sheet gives the
correct answers to all the pictures. All the close-ups on page 1 are from the first Museum Gallery with
page 2’s pictures hailing from objects in the second Museum Gallery.
GENERAL RAILWAYS (Sheets R1 – R23)
JOIN THE DOTS (3 sheets) One sheet shows one of the British Railways logos (from 1948). The
children could be asked why they think a lion was chosen as the BR symbol.
The second sheet shows a D49 steam locomotive. Discuss what parts make the pupils recognise a
steam locomotive, e.g. wheels, chimney, cab, etc.
The third sheet shows a Class 26 Diesel. Discuss with pupils the differences between it and the above
steam loco.
LOCOMOTIVES OLD AND NEW This sheet shows four different locomotives and gives the pupils
the chance to order the locos from earliest to latest. Discussions using this sheet could concentrate on
their size, shape, what powers them, do they look fast or slow, etc. The locomotives shown on the
sheet are also available as photocopiable frieze elements in other activity sheets in the pack (see the
MAKE YOUR OWN…sheets).
LOCOMOTIVES 1,2 and 3 These sheets are intended for use during a teacher-led Museum visit.
The children could answer these either in pairs or in groups. LOCOMOTIVES 3 shows one of the
DMUs in the Display Shed, which is outside the Museum building.
WAGONS & VANS 1 and 2 These sheets are again intended for use as part of a teacher-led visit,
and ask questions about exhibits in Galleries 1 and 2 of the Museum. The last part of WAGONS &
VANS 2 could be completed using coloured pencils/pens etc. in class.
WAGON LOADS A sheet showing some of the wagon loads which are in the Museum. After
completing this, the children could discuss in class other things which can be carried by rail. See next
sheet.
MORE WAGON LOADS A sheet filled with empty wagons on which the pupils can draw suitable
loads. Can be used before, during, or after a Museum visit. Also listed as a MATHS sheet
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
THE LOCOMOTIVE WORKS The “Making Scotland’s Railways” section of the Permanent Museum
exhibition gives details of Scotland’s railway works. The information to complete this sheet can be
found here during your visit.
STEAM LOCO WHEEL ARRANGEMENTS Information Sheet illustrating most of the differing
wheel arrangements on Britain’s steam locomotives.
RAILWAY WORKERS (2 sheets) Information sheets showing the main duties of different workers
on a steam railway. The children could use this prior to their visit and then look out for the workers
when going on the train.
BUILDING THE RAILWAYS The permanent exhibition in the Museum highlights the Civil
Engineering involved in railway construction. This sheet can be filled out either in class after a
discussion, or in the Museum.
SEMAPHORE SIGNALS A brief explanation of the use of semaphore signals on Britain’s railways.
This shows Lower Quadrant signals, whose arms drop when the line is clear. Upper Quadrant signals
(not shown here) are similar, but the arm raises to show a clear line ahead.
COLUR LIGHT SIGNALS In the Museum there is a working display of interlocked colour light
signals. This sheet briefly explains their workings and can be filled in using coloured pencils.
THE ROYAL MAIL TRAVELLING POST OFFICE Could be used by groups and pairs during a
Museum visit or as part of a discussion back in class. There is an activity sheet SORTING THE MAIL,
which can be used in conjunction with this (see Maths Sheets)
RAILWAY COATS OF ARMS This sheet can be completed either in the Museum, or in class. The
completed coats of arms could be cut out and stuck on a wall display or mounted on contrasting
coloured paper.
BRITISH RAILWAYS LOGOS An information sheet showing the development of British Railways’
logo up to the present double arrow. Use this in conjunction with the RAILWAY COATS OF ARMS
sheet, and discuss the elements present in each image, e.g. Why the lion? What is on the Crown in the
second logo and why? (Answer: Welsh Leek, English Rose, Oak Leaf and Scottish Thistle). What do the
two interlocked arrows mean?
MATCH THE PASSENGERS A sheet highlighting the differences between old and new, using figures
and engines from three different eras. Children could discuss which of the locos looks the earliest and
the most modern and match them accordingly.
VANISHING RAILWAYS This sheet is intended as a post-visit activity and could be used to
stimulate class discussion on the decline of the railways. This could lead into a discussion about
preserved railways such as the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway.
RESTORATION and CONSERVATION This sheet, which can be filled in on site, shows the
pupils the importance of restoring and conserving our past for future generations. Can the pupils think
of something which exists at the moment which may need to be preserved? This could be used as a
springboard for listening and talking activities in class.
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
MAKE YOUR OWN… (Sheets M1 – M8)
…ENGINE LIVERY 1&2 Based on D49 “Morayshire”, which is based at Bo’ness. Can be used as a
whole class activity culminating in the production of a class frieze with various trains going in different
directions. All the elements are to scale and photocopiable.
…GOODS ENGINE LIVERY Based on Austerity Class 0-6-0ST no. 7, which is based at Bo’ness.
Can be used in conjunction with the photocopiable wagon sheets.
…DIESEL ENGINE LIVERY Based on a Class 27 Diesel (one of these is in the Museum). Remind
the pupils that this diesel has a cab at both ends and the driver moves to the one that will be at the
front of the locomotive.
…CARRIAGE LIVERY A BR Mk.1 carriage. These are used to transport passengers on the B&KR
and date from the 1950s. Pupils can add their own passengers into the windows.
…WAGONS and VANS photocopy sheets 1 & 2 A selection of wagons and vans for use in a
class display. Don’t forget to put the brake van (marked CR) at the end!
…PRIVATE OWNER WAGON After seeing some of the colourful private owner wagons in the
Museum, pupils can use this template to make their own. This has been made on a larger scale so that
children can add more detail and use the sheet as part of a junk model which can then be filled with
appropriate loads.
VICTORIANS (Sheets V1 – V6: Additional Sheets in Victorians Mini Pack)
VICTORIAN LOCOMOTIVES This sheet looks at the oldest locomotive in the Museum, “Kelton
Fell”. How does it compare to the first successful steam locomotive, “Rocket”? The class could discuss
various parts of the steam locomotive (use the GLOSSARY and THE POWER OF STEAM activity sheet
for help). What has changed and what has stayed the same?
LUXURY TRAVEL Use this sheet during a Museum visit. The class could discuss their findings later
and make their own design for a private carriage.
VICTORIAN LUGGAGE In the Museum are many examples of the kinds of luggage that would have
been common in Victorian times, including large suitcases, trunks, wooden chests (the treasure chest
type) and even a hatbox. The children tick off examples of each as the find them.
HOLIDAYS This sheet can be used after a Museum visit and in after pupils have filled in the
VICTORIAN LUGGAGE activity sheet.
JOBS ON THE RAILWAY Use this sheet in conjunction with the RAILWAY WORKERS sheets.
This can be a pre- or post-visit activity, with children discussing what each person on the railway does.
You can use the MAKE YOUR OWN RAILWAY WORKER sheet after completing this to add to a class
display.
FISH FOR TEA The average person’s diet changed in Victorian times owing to the speed of the new
railways. This sheet can be used as part of a discussion about the changes in availability and therefore
consumption of fresh food.
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
WORLD WAR II (Sheets W1 – W5: Additional Sheets in WW2 Mini Pack)
WARTIME RESTRICTIONS A sheet for use before, during and after a Museum visit, which
highlights some things which were made difficult by wartime rules and regulations.
SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES 1&2 Use these sheets during a Museum visit with groups or pairs
investigating why these vehicles were special. Alternatively, if the pupils make notes about each vehicle
they could use the sheet back in class. The empty wagon at the bottom of sheet 2 is also on the
WAGON LOADS 2 activity sheet.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN GAS MASK (Instructions and template) This sheet has
instructions on how to make a gas mask using card, bubble wrap and cellophane. This can be used
prior to a railway visit and the pupils can being their own gas masks with them
SCIENCE & SCIENCE RELATED (Sheets S1 – S4)
WHAT EXACTLY IS COAL? This sheet can be used to stimulate discussions about where the
power for steam locomotion comes from. Very few children today actually have a chance to see a lump
of coal, so if one can be obtained this could form part of a class display.
JAMES WATT: LOCAL HERO This sheet gives information about James Watt, whose first
experiments in improving the steam engine took place in the grounds of Kinneil House. This sheet
encourages further research into Watt and other pioneers in the world of steam power.
THE POWER OF STEAM This sheet, which can be used either before or after a Museum visit,
shows the journey of steam through a typical steam locomotive. The majority of the terms used are
also included in the GLOSSARY in this pack. The sheet THE STORY OF STEAM gives the process
as sentences, which can be ordered. This could be used to stimulate discussion on the subject in class.
MATHS (Sheets Maths 1- Maths 5)
RAILWAY TIMETABLES This sheet takes the B&KR timetable and uses it to ask questions about
the journeys and train times. The times and durations are correct for the 2013 timetable.
SORT THE MAIL This sheet can be used in connection with the Post Office Sorting Van, where
children can sort the mail in the pigeon holes. Teachers could bring their own blu tacked labels to place
on the pigeon holes, enabling sorting of mail by shape, colour etc.
SORTING THE WAGONS (sheets 1&2) These let pupils sort the wagons by their shape onto the
four tracks of Sheet 2. Both sheets could also be laminated and used with dry wipe markers.
REPEATING WAGON PATTERNS (2 sheets) The pupils continue the patterns on each track.
The second sheet can also be used to help with ordinal numbers, e.g. on the first track colour the fourth
wagon blue.
FILL THE WAGONS This can be used for Maths activities such as sorting and matching.
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
Museum Observation Trail
How good are your observation skills? Can you become a railway detective?
On the next two pages are a set of close-ups of parts of exhibits in the Museum. See if you can
find where they come from. The ones on this page are from the first Gallery and the second
page’s pictures are from Gallery 2 and there might be more than 1 photo of each exhibit!
Write the exhibit’s name down beside each photo.
Good luck in your mission!
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
Well? How many did you find? 0 – 9 Everyone has to start somewhere! Good try! 10 – 14 You need to hone those observation skills a bit more before you progress! 15 - 19 Very, very good! You are nearly there! 20 – 22 Congratulations! You have all the observation skills to be a great Railway Detective!
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
Museum Observation Trail Teachers’ Answer Sheet
Edward VII’s Royal
Saloon
Balquhidder Station sign
(near desk)
Gordon Highlander (detail on tender)
Detail from Post Office
TPO Sorting Van
Class 27 Diesel No. 27005
Highland Stag Logo
Rear of tender on
Gordon Highlander
Highland Railway
Luggage Van
ID plate on colour light
signal
Relay Cabinet beside
colour light signal
display
Crane Tank Locomotive (Colville’s)
Saddle Tank
locomotive no.42
Callendar Coal Co. Open
Wagon
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
All the answers on the first sheet can be found in the first Museum
building, and the second sheet’s answers can be found through the
double doors
North British Covered
Van NB Open Coal Wagon
Rectank Wagon
(Caterpillar Tracks on
armoured vehicle)
Kinneil Open Coal
Wagon
Shock Absorbing Open
Wagon Saxa Salt Covered Van
Saddle Tank
locomotive no.42 Nitric Acid Tank Wagon
Oakbank Oil Co. Tank
Wagon
Post Office TPO Sorting
Van (tail lamp at end of
van)
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
JOIN THE DOTS
See if you can find what is sitting on the British Railways logo by joining the dots!
Write what you think it is on the line below.
BRITISH RAILWAYS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8
9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22 23
24
25 26
27
28 29
30
31
32
33 34
35 36
37
38
39
40 41
42
R1
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
JOIN THE DOTS
Join the dots to find out what shape the engine is.
Complete the words in the sentences below.
This is a st______ engine.
It runs on c_____and w_______
1
2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15
16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24
25 26 28 30
31 32
33 34 35
36 37
38 39 40
41
42 43 44 45
46
47 48
49
50 51
52
27 29
R2
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
JOIN THE DOTS
Join the dots to find out the shape of the engine.
Complete the words in the sentences below.
This is a d_________ engine.
The d_________ has a cab to sit in at both ends.
The double arrow is the sign for B__________ R___________.
1
2
3
4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11
12 13 14 15
16
17 18 19 20 21 22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
R2a
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
LOCOMOTIVES OLD AND NEW
Below are four railway engines.
Can you number them in order 1- 4, from earliest to latest?
G2 G2 G2 G2 G2
R3
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
LOCOMOTIVES 1
What kind of trains do you think that “Gordon Highlander” (above right) would have
pulled?
Where would the water for the boiler be stored in both of these engines?
Why was the space for water quite large?
What would the bright green crane locomotive, No. 6, be used for?
Why do you think the locomotives are all painted in different colours?
R4
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
LOCOMOTIVES 2
Why does the diesel 27005 (above, left) have a cab at either end?
Why do you think that diesel trains were introduced?
Why do you think the steam engine is in the workshop area?
What kinds of trains would the small tank engines (above, right) have pulled?
Where would the coal have been stored?
R5
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
LOCOMOTIVES 3
From where does the Blue Electric train (above left) get its power?
The Class 303 EMU in the Display Shed (above right) is also an electric train. What
makes it different from the other locomotives in the museum?
Of all the kinds of locomotive, which one would you prefer to drive and why?
R6
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
WAGONS & VANS 1
Write in a list here all of the goods which wagons in the museum
would have been used to transport. Think of as many as you can!
Why would the Gunpowder Van (right) have been lined with
wood but made of metal on the outside?
Why do you think that vans such as the Saxa Salt van (left) were
painted so brightly?
What would the doors on the mineral wagon (right) have been
used for?
What sort of goods would have needed to be transported in a
shock absorbing van (left)?
R7
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH RAILWAYS
Activity Sheets may be photocopied for educational use © SRPS 2014
WAGONS & VANS 2
Why would a brake-van and a guard (right) be needed on a goods
train?
What was the ventilated compartment on the Highland Railway
luggage van (left) used to transport?
Why was grain transported in a covered wagon (right) and where
in Scotland might it be taken to?
When you are back in class, draw and colour your own name on the wagon side below
R8