VISITOR figures for the National Railway Museum released today are a massive vindication of the Govern-ment's policy to scrap admission charges. The number of people who toured the museum last month was the highest since 1976, when it was also free of charge.

That demonstrates both the genuine public thirst for knowledge, and the museum's pulling power. Sadly, countless children must have missed out during 14 years of admission fees.

It is just a shame that museum bosses still plan to penalise families by charging them to see the most popular visiting exhibit - Thomas The Tank Engine.

Updated: 10:21 Monday, January 07, 2002