THE first of 60 exhibits to go on show at the region's £11m national railway museum arrives tomorrow.

Train enthusiasts are expected to turn out in huge numbers when a North Eastern Railway (NER) 0-8-0 steam locomotive arrives to start the countdown to the September launch of Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon.

The T3 class locomotive, built in 1919, was the most powerful engine produced at the North Eastern Railway's Darlington works.

It was renamed Q7 when the NER was absorbed into the London and North Eastern Railway in 1924 and enjoyed a working life spanning four decades.

The locomotive will arrive by road and spectators are invited to view it being off-loaded and shunted into the collections centre at the heart of the museum.

Locomotion staff have worked closely with Durham Constabulary and the British Transport Police to ensure the event runs smoothly, and a viewing area has been created.

The new museum's manager, George Muirhead, said: "The arrival of the first railway vehicle is a hugely significant event for the museum and will naturally attract a lot of interest from the general public.

"We have anticipated large numbers of people arriving at the museum on Wednesday and we want them to be able to enjoy the day in as safe a manner as possible."

Published: 15/06/2004