VISITORS to a railway museum can view a historic locomotive being restored as part of a series of family half-term activities.

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon is restoring the A4 Pacific locomotive Dominion of Canada.

The engine is on loan from Exporail, the Canadian National Railway Museum in Montreal, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Mallard setting the speed record for a steam locomotive.

Visitors can view the restoration taking place at the museum.

There will be daily short tours to the conservation workshop to see the engine close up. Tours will take place between February 16-24 at 2.30pm daily.

Places are limited and they are provided on a first come first served basis. Anyone wanting to take part should report to the collection building.

The Museum Alive event between February 16-17 offers visitors the opportunity to get hands-on with the museum collection.

There will be the chance to access some of the locomotive footplates too and visitors will also be able to enjoy steam train rides for a small charge.

Between Monday 18, and Friday 22, February visitors can take part in fun activities themed round the A4 engines between 11.30am and 3.30pm, with the last admission at 3pm.

The Awesome A4s weekend will feature miniature A4s models on show. Anyone who has a collection who wants to show of their collections can do so.

The event is on Saturday, 23, and Sunday, 24, February and to show a collection contact Simon Smalley on 01388-771445 or at simon.smalley@durham.gov.uk.

Entry to the museum is free and doors are open between 10am and 4pm. Details on the events can be found by contacting the museum on 01388-777999.