PROFESSIONALS are being called in to a York museum in the preparations for one of the biggest ever rail festivals next year.

Railfest 2004 will be held at the National Rail Museum (NRM) from May 29 to June 6 to celebrate 200 years of the train.

More than £30,000 of track-laying and site preparation is being provided by the Territorial Army as the museum gears up for the event.

Soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps are spending two weeks laying 240 metres of 15-inch gauge railway track and moving more than 200 tonnes of material to make pathways.

"Railfest is probably the most ambitious and most important event ever staged by the NRM and it simply could not happen without the help of our partners in the rail industry and in the community," said museum head Andrew Scott.

"The site work being carried out over the coming months will enable us to display an unrivalled collection of locomotives and engines covering 200 years of rail progress.

"It will also allow us to provide rides, theatre, music and other entertainment to create a real festival atmosphere for the thousands of visitors we hope will come to help us celebrate this landmark anniversary."

Updated: 14:36 Tuesday, October 28, 2003