The UK rail industry is joining forces with the National Railway Museum to offer a unique insight into the modern railway.

As part of the Museum's Railfest celebrations for the bicentenary of the train, the Modern Arena will showcase state of the art rail technology.

The new section of the nine-day public festival is being sponsored and set up by a special Rail 200 Group, representing rail-related companies across the UK.

It will accommodate an unrivalled array of modern rolling stock and track machinery, including a Virgin Pendolino tilting train, Jarvis's latest Accutrack renewal machine - which will be shown working, Meridian from Midland Main Line and GNER's refurbished Mallard carriages.

An extended site adjacent to the NRM's operating yard in York is being prepared by Network Rail, Jarvis Rail, Vital Rail and the Association of Train Operating Companies for the Modern Arena, which will include an indoor area of stalls, displays and exhibitions explaining more about the modern industry.

More than 60,000 people are expected to visit the Railfest event from 29 May to 6 June 2004 to see record-breakers and history-makers charting 200 years of rail progress since the very first steam locomotive ran in 1804.

In addition to the Modern Arena, the festival will offer more than 50 historic steam locomotives, engines, rail and road vehicles, a variety of train rides for all the family, an old time fun fair and a Great Railway Bazaar.

Andrew Scott, Head of the NRM, said: "The bicentenary of rail is a landmark anniversary and we plan to celebrate it with a landmark public event. We are delighted that Railfest will include a Modern Arena, where visitors will be able to recognise the present achievements and future aspirations of our industry, as well as celebrating the glories of its past."

Richard Bowker, Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), said: "Railfest is about the future, not just the past. The SRA is pleased to be working with the industry to provide the present and the future elements of the Railfest event within the Modern Arena."

Updated: 14:33 Wednesday, May 19, 2004