THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the day the railways changed and diesels hit the tracks.

And to mark the milestone the National Railway Museum in York is offering the chance for one enthusiast to play a small part in history.

The museum is asking people to submit their tales about the advent of the diesels and the most interesting anecdote will win the chance to start up the star attraction at their October diesel event, the newly restored D6700 locomotive, the first of its class to enter traffic.

D6700 became part of the National Collection in 1998 and is currently undergoing extensive body repairs and a repaint in the museum workshop and is expected to be as good as new for its 50th birthday party, To open the free event on October 16 and 17, the museum will also be getting ready to rumble with a mass start up of diesel locomotives, known to fans as "growlers" due to their unique sound.

The winner will be first to enter the footplate of D6700 and start the massive roar of mighty machines at 10.30am.

E-mail entries to competitions@nrm.org.uk by October 8 and include name, address and contact telephone number. Up to three photographs can also be included.