The City of Truro at last year's Swindon Railway Convention Picture Ref: 72265-43STAFF at the Steam museum are polishing the brass and stoking the coals to celebrate a landmark birthday.

It was just five years ago this month that Prince Charles opened the £11 million museum, designed to pay homage to the men and women who built, operated and travelled on Brunel's Great Western Railway.

Over the years the museum has had its ups and downs, with poor visitor numbers, which, in turn led to funding difficulties, but the museum now says the bad times are behind them.

Coun Justin Tomlinson, (Con Abbey Meads) lead member for Swindon Services who runs the museum said: "There is a very exciting future ahead.

"Not only is the council building on increasing visitor numbers and cutting costs but it is also recognising the future for corporate events."

Mr Tomlinson said his wedding reception will be held at the museum this year, the first such reception at the museum.

Jeff Salter, spokesman for the museum said: "The museum is on the way up, our visitor numbers are increasing and we are extremely excited about what the future holds."

During the financial year from April 2004 to April 2005 visitor numbers were up 20 per cent to around 90,000.

Later this year, the museum will play host to the annual Swindon Railway Convention on September 17 and September 18.

The event pays tribute to the town's railway heritage with visiting locomotives, model railway layouts, displays and talks by railway experts.

In October Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting Steam and bringing many a smile to the faces of youngsters along with characters such as Sir Topham Hatt the Fat Controller.

Mr Salter said: "Last year's Swindon Railway Convention and the Thomas visit were among the most memorable because we managed to get live steam working at the museum which attracted thousands of visitors over those two weekends.

"After that success, we are making plans for this year's events."

Birthday celebrations will be held over the weekend of June 11 and 12 but will be low-key with a five per cent discount on admission prices and on all products brought in the museum's shop.

You can find out more about the museum by visiting: www.-steam-museum.org.uk

Anthony Osborne