TWO companies in Darlington are hoping to build the UK's first main line steam train in 40 years.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust charity has already started a project to build a locomotive at the town's Hopetown Carriageworks.

The £500,000 scheme could be completed in 2007 and it is hoped the engine could be up and running on the mainline by 2008.

Now, a second contender to build an engine has emerged in the town - local steam engine makers, the Great Northern Steam Company.

The family-run business said plans to build a main line steam engine had been discussed, but that it was still at a very early stage.

Keith Ashton, who runs the business with his son, Mark, said: "There's a likelihood this could happen but at the moment it's not much further on than the idea stage."

The firm, which is based at Cleveland Trading Estate, produces full-size and small-scale replicas of narrow gauge locomotives.

Last year, it produced two full-size replica engines for Laxey Lead Mines Museum on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Ashton said any plan to build a main line steam locomotive would not be in competition to the A1 project.

He said: "If we were to get funding for this and go ahead with it, it wouldn't be on the same scale as the other project. We simply don't have the same kind of resources at our disposal."

The A1 Trust has already secured at least half of the cash in commitments from supporters, who want to see No 60163 Tornado completed in Darlington.

The trust is now in the process of securing the remaining institutional finance for the completion of Tornado, which will be "unlocked" once the rest of the bonds have been taken up.

£1,000 raised

GAINFORD Drama Club's recent production of J B Priestley's Dangerous Corner raised more than £1,000 for the Darlington Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Well-written

STAINTON and Streatlam Women's Institute meets on Thursday at Stainton Village Hall. The speaker will be Tony Craig, giving an introduction to calligraphy.