A MUSEUM is looking forward to being invaded by railway memorabilia enthusiasts when it holds two valuation weekends later this year.

During the weekends, visitors will be able to bring items along to the National Railway Museum, in York, for a free valuation.

The NRM is staging the weekends a part of Railfest, a celebration of 200 years of rail progress.

Organisers hope that some real gems will be discovered among the model trains and toys, posters, books, postcards, tickets, lamps, cap-badges and locomotive plates.

Sheffield Railwayana Auctions, the world's leading rail memorabilia specialists, will be at the museum from May 29 to 31 and Vectis, the largest toy auction company in the world, will be on site from June 4 to 6.

Bob Gwynne, project developer at the NRM, said: "We're really looking forward to seeing a wonderful range of objects over the two valuation weekends.

"Whether they're treasured models or books that have been in families for years, or an old ticket or timetable that's been forgotten and is gathering dust in an attic, people can bring along their very own pieces of railway history to the museum and guest experts will let them know what they are worth."

Published: 16/04/2004