YET another reference to the Steam museum. We have another dabbling seemingly clueless councillor proposing yet another weird misguided scheme.

We have a proposal for under-16s toy trains, toy-train makers Hornby 10-interlinked tracks, children watching "trains stop, start or go faster." Toy Hornby trains are not live steam.

In viewpoint last week Robin Jones of Heritage Railway Magazine suggested Passenger Carrying live steam, the real stuff on 4ft 8 1/2-inch track plus the creation of a miniature ride on railway.

Has Coun Tomlinson approached the ride-on scale model steam club which runs at Coate Water for any discussions or advice. Does he even know it exists?

Has he approached Swindon & Cricklade Railway or the Great Western Society at Didcot to discuss how to run a full-size, real steam railway with volunteers?

When there is a Thomas the Tank Engine weekend at any of the preserved railways the youngsters flood in to see a small full-size engine with a face on the front, not toy trains running on a loop of track on a table, which already exists in the Museum.

Has he contacted the Southern Federation of Model Engineers who make and run their own steam locomotives (real steam not Hornby electric mock-ups) and the many clubs and societies which visit each others tracks, transporting their own locomotive models?

Has he discussed anything with the Friends of the Museum who will be greatly involved with any plans and who will assist the permanent staff? As a Friend this is the first I've heard of the proposal.

My advice councillor: read and digest Robin Jones article and start discussing with those who have done it, not with consultants and commercial firms, who cost the earth. It's a long term project you've already lost three years.

KEN GIBBS

The Mall