A century of local history.

Byline: By Nick McCarthy

TRAIN buffs celebrated a century of locomotive history as a Birmingham depot opened up the doors to mark its 100th anniversary.

Birmingham Railway Museum Trust held its open weekend at Tyseley Locomotive Works, in Warwick Road.

Attractions included a line-up of Great Western Railway steam engines, three GWR Castles, up to three GWR Halls and four GWR pannier tanks.

There was also a replica Puffing Billy from Beamish Open Air Museum and freight train and turntable demonstrations.

Graham Campion, spokesman for steam train excursion operator Vintage Trains, said: "The Puffing Billy was a major attraction and people felt transported back to their youth.

"We are very much preserving Birmingham's industrial past and people react well to that - there's still a soft spot for steam."

Other attractions lined up include the recommissioning of GWR Castle 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, the return of LMS Jubilee 45593 Kolhapur to Tyseley and the launch of an appeal to restore Clun Castle - the vehicle which started the works' steam train collection in January 1966.

The event was organised by the registered educational charity Birmingham Railway Museum Trust.

All proceeds will now go to the Railway Children charity, which helps youngsters who live around railway stations across the world.

CAPTION(S):

PRIDE AND JOY...Les Ross with the train named after him.