Bumper crowd heads to Shildon train museum for family day (From The Northern Echo)

Bumper crowd heads to Shildon train museum for family day

5:33pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Bishop Auckland News

VISITORS to a popular railway museum were able climb on locomotive’s footplates as part of a special weekend.

Staff at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon ran a Museum Alive event over last weekend.

There was the chance to climb onto the footplates of some locomotives to get a closer view.

There were also exhibits from the museum’s Timothy Hackworth collection on show which included old fashioned everyday items.

Sharon Thorburn, the museum’s front of house officer, said: "It’s something we do to give a different feel to the museum.

"A lot of the younger visitors have not seen items such as old irons and it’s nice to be able to show them at these events."

Museum staff estimate that more than 1,000 people passed through the doors over the weekend.

Visitors to the weekend event could also enjoy short rides on a locomotive along the museum’s tracks.

Entry to the museum is free with details on up coming activities from 01388-777999 or via www.nrm.org.uk.