BIG ideas are on the way for a small railway in Eaglescliffe.

Plans for Teesside Small Gauge Railway, based in the grounds of Preston Hall Museum, include major maintenance work on the track.

The railway will run every Sunday, weather permitting, between 1pm and 4pm, as well as Tuesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 24, between 1pm and 4pm, for 50p a ride. The first Sunday has already raised £190.

Takings for the whole of October will be donated to the Children in Need appeal.

Work continues on the Caladonia, a new steam locomotive, and to help with the maintenance of the railway, a new lathe has also been installed.

It is also hoped that new toilet facilities will be installed in the future.

There are 48 members involved in the railway and they are predicting that by the end of this year about 10,000 rides will have been provided in 2002.

Many thousands of people have travelled on the railway since it began carrying passengers seven years ago.

The work of the members and local businesses has resulted in 1,500 feet track, with an electric signal box and ticket office.

Further information about the railway is available by logging on to www.communigate.co. uk/ne/tsgr.