MUSEUM bosses are asking people of all ages to name their favourite railway toys.

The National Railway Museum in York is preparing for a major exhibition next year which will explore the twin themes of railways and childhood.

The appeal has been launched to coincide with the museum’s half-term Big Fun with Little Trains event, from May 24 to June 1.

Interpretation developer Ellen Tait said: “Young kids love trains and that felt like a great starting point for an exhibition, full of toys, adventures and family fun.

“For some, railway toys are the first step in a life-long love of the tracks but for many others it’s a childhood phase, before moving on to pirates, dinosaurs, astronaut and the like.

“We’ve been looking in our collection for inspiration, but we know that there are a lot of great toys out there that we would love to display that aren’t currently in our collection.”

Her favourite toy so far is a Fisher Price Circus train from the 1990s. “To me this is the best railway toy because of all the amazing adventures you can imagine the people and animals on this train having,” she said.

“We hope that with our Big Fun with Little Trains event and Railways and Childhood exhibition we can help he British public relive that sense of adventure and excitement.”

Visitors can nominate their favourite toy in person at the Big Fun with Little Trains event or online via Facebook, Twitter and the museum’s website.

It is asking people to tweet, Facebook or email pictures primarily of their child and their favourite railway toy. However, it is also interested in hearing from adults who can send a picture of a particular toy they adored when a child and the reasons why.

For details visit nrm.org.uk/getinvolved/railways-childhood