Visitors to Swindon's STEAM museum will be treated to a truly inside look at the jobs and lives of former railway workers tomorrow.

Engine drivers, firemen and railway workers will be sharing their stories and experiences of what it was really like inside the Swindon Railway Works.

Local historian Brian Way will also be taking two walking tours around the Great Western Historic Area to give people a real feel for the works which employed around 12,000 people at its height before the First World War.

STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway opened in the summer and has proved very popular with both local people and visitors from outside Wiltshire.

Funded through a partnership bringing together the Heritage Lottery Fund, Swindon Council, Carillion Development Manage-ment and BAA McArthur Glen, it is hoped it will become a major tourist attraction.

The museum, housed in the former Railway Works in Kemble Drive, already offers interactive attractions and models celebrating Swindon's rail heritage.

But tomorrow, ex-railway workers will be inside the displays giving practical demonstrations to offer people an even greater insight into life as an engine driver.

One of those who will be involved in the day is former GWR railway worker and Friend of Swindon Railway Museum, Dave Ellis.

He said: "We are delighted to be involved in the STEAM events programme and have the opportunity to tell the real story of life inside the works with our experiences and memories as well as giving practical demonstrations.

"It all helps to bring the museum to life and add to the visitor experience."

The tours will run at 1.30pm and 3.30pm, leaving the Railway Works through the pedestrian tunnel which lies under the main London to West Country rail line.

They will take in famous landmarks such as St Mark's Church, the Mechanics' Institute and the former Baptist Church in Faringdon Road, which was the former home of the Great Western Railway Museum.

Included in the price of the tour is a visit to the Railway Village museum and a railway workers cottage restored with period furniture and fittings which tells more about workers' domestic life.

The tours last around an hour and cost £2 for adults and £1.50 for children. They can be bought from the ticket and information desks at STEAM tomorrow on a first come, first served basis.