Museum of Science and Industry

It's every little boy's, and many little girl's dream come true: to be a steam train driver for a day. Now MOSI has launched the Steam School, as one of several unique gift ideas in time for Christmas. Trainees on the Steam School (who must be over 18) will learn how to drive the historic Agecroft No.1 steam locomotive as well as the battery locomotive, and to shunt wagons around the Museum site (the former 1830 Liverpool Road station, the world's oldest passenger railway station).

Other unusual gift ideas at MOSI include a cupcake decoration workshop on 17 January and a photography workshop by acclaimed Manchester photographer Andrew Brooks on 10 January.

 The Steam School will run from February although tickets are available now for the experience as a gift for Christmas.

 Railway officer Matthew Jackson said:

"It is a wonderful experience to drive a steam locomotive around this historically significant site. The sight and the smell of the steam on a cold winter's day are evocative of another era and you really get to appreciate the work involved in powering this magnificent piece of engineering. This is a unique gift for anyone who is intrigued by old machinery, trains or unusual forms of transport."

Agecroft No. 1 was used to shunt coal between Agecroft Colliery and Agecroft Power Station and has recently been painstakingly restored by MOSI. The 28-ton loco was built in Newcastle in 1948 and can haul 1159 tons. It was one of three Swinton-based locomotives used by the British Electrical Authority to service the power station until the early 1980s.

 MOSI Steam School includes two hours on the railway, a tour of MOSI's Power Hall, lunch, a photograph opportunity and certificate.

 To book on the Steam School please contact MOSI on 0161 606 0169 or email steamschool@mosi.org.uk  For information on the cupcake decoration or digital photography workshops at MOSI please contact c.otten@mosi.org.uk

For media enquiries please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

 Notes to editors

 MOSI is the winner of the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the 2011 Manchester Tourism Awards

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