I have visited Steam with my 90-year-old grandfather and we both found it fascinating.

For him. it was possible to relive so many memories. For me, as three generations of my family worked there, it brought the GWR to life.

Steam is a museum for the new millennium and it makes me very proud of my home town.

It is hard to comprehend that Steam is already receiving negative publicity. Many Swindonians will not have had chance to visit yet and I am sure many feel as I do, what is the hurry? Steam is here to stay and I can think of many cost-cutting or crowd-pulling schemes such as the Thomas the Tank Engine day coming up this weekend.

Here are just a few ideas that I can think of:

1) Does the museum really need a cafe? There are perfectly acceptable places for refreshment less than a stone's throw away in the main Outlet Centre. Anyway shouldn't we be promoting the outlet and it's shops to Steam visitors? The day I visited most of the visitors to Steam were later in Harry Ramsdens along with my grandfather and I.

2) What about downloading free child tickets from it's web site during school holidays? Other major attractions do so and I, as a parent, look out for these schemes.

3) How about a family visiting Steam then gaining a free child entry to other Swindon attractions, eg, the Oasis, ice skating at the Link? Or, on entry to the Link Centre, a family is given a discount voucher for Steam?

4) Perhaps Steam could open all weekend and only on three or four days in the week?

5) Does Swindon railway station advertise Steam? The London Underground advertises the outlet centre, does it advertise Steam as well?

6) Rail enthusiasts or children could be encouraged to visit regularly with membership schemes and packs.

Is there anyone with any foresight looking beyond attendance projection figures on this project?

S Baker

Swindon

(full name and address supplied)