Trans-Siberian: The World’s Longest Railway
National Railway Musuem,York

Originally due to open in November 2020, this exhibition was delayed a number of times due to the Covid 19 pandemic, eventually the setworks were fully constructed within the gallery but then mothballed for a year,, awaiting the many loan objects to make their way from Russia. Finally in February 2022, the Museum made the decision to cancel the exhibition due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

As can be seen even without the objects installed, the exhibition would have looked stunningly impactful and atmospheric. The design used a single structure that defined and separated gallery spaces - part bridge, part track-bed, both tunnel and train carriage. It was reminiscent of all these aspects of the story and provided a singular powerful form that would draw the visitor into the gallery and then guide them within.

The Bridge framework included sequenced lighting that created, with sound, the effect of a train rolling across the bridge.

The structure bisected the gallery defining two exhibition sections, first the planning and building of the railway followed by the use of the railway and its promotion as a tourist phenomenon.

On the long gallery walls we installed light installations that mimicked the passing motion-blurred landscape, first the wintery Siberian Forest evoking the hardships endured during the mammoth construction project, followed by a brighter, more optimistic summertime effect evoking the holidays and trips taken along the railway.

Use of green leather and gold details evoked the glamour and luxury and referenced many of the loan objects. Reeded glass captured multiple images and refractions suggesting the fast-moving train.