A RAILWAY enthusiast is on the lookout for locomotive memorabilia to boost his museum.

John Rathmell is hoping to drum up interest in pioneering railwaymen and unearth rare relics which may be hidden in York’s attics or sheds.

Mr Rathmell owns one of Britain’s smallest railway museums, but would like to boost his collection with a bigger display.

He runs his own private museum, the Clerestory Railway Museum, from an old train carriage in his garden in Melton Avenue, York. Among his collection is the shed plate for the engine, the St Mungo, and the numberplate for another A1 Pacific locomotive, the Kennilworth.

Any railway artefacts collected would be featured at his private Clerestory Railway Museum, is opened to the public on certain days. Money raised from donations on these days goes to York-based charities.

Mr Rathmell said: “I was just a collector, but then things got out of hand and I started the museum.

“Anything from the York area to do with railways is what I am after,” he said.

“I have had the museum for a number of years and I am always on the lookout for something new and interesting to collect from the local area to show to my regular visitors who come here.

“There must be a really rich vein in this area of memorabilia, and I am interested in anything to do with the railways,” added Mr Rathmell, 56.

“I have always been interested in our local railways, and have spent lots of time collecting hundreds of items from around the country.

“I have things from the Flying Scotsman and some of Britain’s greatest trains and would love to add to the collection so if you have anything that might be of use, please give me a call.”

Mr Rathmell’s railway carriage museum was built in 1895, and was involved in a train crash at Great Heck in 1923. It features items from the Flying Scotsman and some of Britain’s greatest trains.

He is interested in memorabilia from local stations, the railway lines, engines and coaches.

Mr Rathmell can be contacted by phone on 01904 622758.