THE success of the North-East's first national museum has persuaded managers to rethink plans for next year.
Locomotion: National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, had been expected to attract 60,000 visitors in its first year.
But the £11m facility exceeded that figure in its first two months and now 75,000 people have visited the museum since it opened on September 25.
Managers at the museum, a partnership venture between Sedgefield Borough Council and the National Railway Museum, in York, are redrafting plans for 2005 to accommodate the expected increase in numbers.
They are estimating 100,000 visitors next year at the museum, which was opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Manager George Muirhead said: "We never really expected so many visitors in our first two months. It's absolutely fantastic."
The museum is currently closed while staff move into new office accommodation and carry out essential telecommunication works. It is expected to reopen next Wednesday.
Published: 30/12/2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article