(THE CLASS exits London stage north. Lights up on York. The city basks proudly in golden sunshine and the glow of its own reputation. The town boasts strong Roman, Norwegian, and Anglo-Saxon heritage, which is visible among its streets. The area's distinct appearance has crept into the hearts of millions, including the class, in this century as well through cinema. The filmmakers of Harry Potter took inspiration from streets of York when translating Diagon Alley to the screen. THE CLASS enters.)

We are greeted by a sprawling train station as our LNER rail service arrives. Unable to contain the city's expansion, the ancient city wall runs between homes and businesses, and abbey ruins dominate public parks surrounded by Roman coffins. Most impressive is the gothic York Minster, headquartering the second highest clergyman in the Anglican Church, which towers over restaurants and gift shops. Like much of Europe, centuries of history are central to a place's identity, and in our two short days in York, I was struck by the community's efforts both to preserve the past and reach into the future.

York Minster is a thirteenth century wonder which rivals the likes of Westminster. Although both have beauties in their own right, York Minster is home to some of the most intricate stained glass I've seen in my life. The church recently oversaw the refurbishment of a mammoth window depicting moments from the whole Bible beneath the visage of God. Other images featured in stained glass include historic locals, a commemoration to the War of the Roses, and a tribute to Richard III. Even the wall of grey glass was breathtaking.

But...

Then you turn inward toward the altar where the Minster's preservation efforts are unavoidable. Stories upon stories of scaffolding obscure the choir from the congregation as part of a once-in-a-century overhaul. The dark platforming has dismantled the organ and upset the patterns of limestone arches and vibrent windows. The same work is evident on the building's exterior, but is decorated with an LED cross. Is this disappointing? I say no, it is not. Even major preservation work in key areas of the Minster cannot cover all of the other breathtaking aesthetics in the building. This work is necessary for another century just as removing and hiding the stained glass was during World War II in case of German bombings. These preservation efforts may be the city's hold on the future. Tourism is no small sector in York, and future economic and cultural expansion may rely on more planned archeological digs and routine preservation of historical sites to bolster that industry.

I didn't, however, cease appreciating the preservation initiatives in York at the Minster door. My Thursday was devoted to a rather niche interest at the National Railway Museum. From stream to diesel to electric, the museum houses 200 years of transportation history in maps, models, and machines. Highlights include Mallard (the fastest steam locomotive ever built) and its rival, Duchess of Hamilton, recreations of Stephenson's Rocket (a speed-record breaking locomotive from the 1820s), and a segment of the Channel Tunnel with Eurostar. In addition, the museum houses the only Bullet Train outside of Japan, a hospital coach from World War II, and several personalized coaches for the royal family dating back to Queen Victoria. All of these artifacts have been impressively preserved, but carry a melancholy weight as well: these locomotives, built to move, now sit stationary. They rest rather than performing work. Their fires are not lit and their engines arenot started, and it's like they don't breathe without a single wheelturn.

Nevertheless there remains a commitment to their preservation. Several engines and coaches were closed off by barriers while volunteers in orange vests toiled to maintain them even out of service. Visitors to the museum can watch as workmen refurbish parts or whole locomotives in the adjacent workshop. Most notably, the museum recently oversaw the overhaul of the first locomotive to verifiably reach 100mph: the Flying Scotsman. Unlike other steam locomotives in Britain since the 1960s, the Scotsman has been given running duties once again. Since its restoration, the famous train avoids museum life in favor of taking a 05:40 express several times a week. Incredibly, the Flying Scotsman embodies the golden age of rail while steaming into the future. Similarly, York Minster's appearance is a reminder of an era when church power dictated much of life, but it's still an active church and continutes to evolve for the congregation's faith needs in the twenty-first century.

Be it steam or stone, it is difficult to say what these new functions mean or how long they will last, but one thing is certain: preservation will be their future.

(THE CLASS exits stage north. Lights up on Edinburgh...)