PEOPLE who dust off their old toy trains or railway timetables may discover they have a fortune in their hands at an Antiques Roadshow style event at a York museum.

The National Railway Museum is to host two "valuation weekends" where enthusiasts may learn they have a hidden treasure in their homes.

The Leeman Road-based museum is encouraging people to unearth their model trains, toys, posters, books, postcards, tickets, lamps, cap-badges or even locomotive plates and bring them along to the events, which are being staged as part of the Railfest celebrations.

"We're really looking forward to seeing a wonderful range of objects over the two valuation weekends," said Bob Gwynne, the museum's project developer.

"Whether they're treasured models or books that have been in families for years, or an old ticket or timetable that's been forgotten and is gathering dust in an attic, people can bring along their very own pieces of railway history to the museum and guest experts will let them know what they are worth."

Sheffield Railwayana Auctions, the world's leading railwayana specialists, will be on site from May 29 to 31 looking for rare and special pieces, while Vectis, the world's largest toy auction company, will be at the museum between June 4 and 6.

David Barzilay, of Vectis, said: "The rise in the value of railway memorabilia has been driven in the main by an increasing interest in nostalgia from collectors.

"Our valuers are not only leading experts in this highly specialised field, but real enthusiasts as well. We look forward to making new acquaintances at Railfest, with visitors and the objects they bring along."

For larger objects that cannot be easily transported to the NRM, visitors can bring a good-quality colour photograph.

More than 60,000 train fans are expected to flock to the NRM for Railfest, a celebration of 200 years of rail, which will run between May 29 and June 6.

Activities including the unveiling of the Flying Scotsman, the museum's latest exhibit, steam train rides, live theatre and music.

Updated: 09:10 Monday, April 12, 2004