The reported financial troubles that have already beset our Steam Museum persuaded me to make my first visit last weekend.

As an ex-railwayman I found it to be engaging, interesting, nostalgic and at times awe-inspiring which reflects all that other local people have already told me. I also heard on local radio that the museum needs 200,000 visitors per year with an annual estimate of visitors to the adjacent Designer Village of some four million not an unreasonable assumption I would have thought.

Surely it is too early to sound the distress signals and I am sure Brunel would have just bitten harder on his cigar and looked a little further into the future.

Three small observations regarding promotion did cross my mind, however. Firstly, the commercial dictates of "Harry Ramsden" and "Go Karting" allow enormous skyline signs to be adequately visible before you get within the confines of the village. The massive end wall and gabled roof of the museum is easily visible from the north car park but no such sign beckons the stranger to Steam.

Secondly, my visit coincided with one by Thomas the Tank Engine and the shriek of a whistle certainly attracted visitors to the museum. Surely, a similar recording, plus one of the famous factory 'hooter' would give a sound indication of the site of the museum.

Thirdly, I used the north car park, spent in excess of £20 with books, guides, entrance fees and food, and yet because it was not in McArthur Glen I could not get a refund on my parking expenses.

ROY TYLEE

Fosse Close

Swindon