RAIL chiefs are joining forces with one of the country's leading attractions to give an insight into the modern railway.

From May 29 to June 6, the National Railway Museum, in York, is celebrating the bicentenary of the railways with its large-scale Railfest.

With the help of several rail companies, an extended site beside the museum's operating yard is being transformed into what is being called the Modern Arena.

It will showcase rail technology in what it says will be an unrivalled array of modern rolling stock and track machinery,

It will include a Virgin Pendolino tilting train, Jarvis's latest Accutrack renewal machine - which will be shown in action, Meridian from Midland Main Line and GNER's refurbished Mallard carriages.

There will also be an indoor area of stalls, displays and exhibitions explaining more about today's rail industry.

More than 60,000 people are expected to visit the festival, to see record-breakers and history-makers charting 200 years of the railways since the first steam locomotive ran in 1804.

The festival will also include displays of more than 50 historic steam locomotives, engines, rail and road vehicles, plus family train rides, an old-time fun fair and a Great Railway Bazaar.

Museum head Andrew Scott said: "The bicentenary of rail is a landmark anniversary and we plan to celebrate it with a landmark public event."

Published: 24/04/2004