The Natural History Museum, London has always held a special place in my heart, it being one of the first places* where young Master Awdry came face to face with what had previously only be consigned to reference books, I refer of course to the wonders of the prehistoric age and in particular dinosaurs. 

 *The first place being the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.  

This magnificent building, a striking example of Romanesque architecture, is a gem in its own right and never ceases to impress me when I visit.  The picture above, courtesy of the Natural History Museum’s website and taken in 1979, is how I first remember the majesty of the building, the iconic specimens standing proud in the Hintze Hall.  It had been a good while since I last resisted the museum, but when I heard the news that the plaster cast of their Diplodocus, affectionately named Dippy** was going to replaced with the skeletal remains of a Blue Whale myself and the ‚Saintly Mrs. Awdry‘ decided that would we would travel to the mighty metropolis to say our fond farewells.