A RAILWAY museum bid to build a shed which will allow work to begin on restoration of a 1920s steam engine has been approved.

Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum, based at Brockford station, has also been given the go-ahead for its plans to construct an exhibition room to inform visitors about the restoration process.

Before the planning decision was made, museum archivist David Chappell said the venture would be a “tremendous boost” for the heritage site.

“It will mean we will have our own engine, which will be much less expensive than hiring, which is what we have to do at the moment,” he said.

“When we have got something as our own, it gives us all a lot of pride, as we will be restoring it from a non-working engine.

“It will probably take a few years – anything up to five years.

“It might be less, but it depends on how much money becomes available.”

Schoolchildren will have access to the exhibition room, in which there will be a screen showing technicians working on the engine.

The museum has also been preparing to apply for a six-figure grant from Heritage Lottery Fund. The money would be used to help fund the restoration shed and exhibition room.

The engine, called Alston, would be housed in the shed which would be designed and built to look like one from the era of the steam train.

The first live steam engine event will take place on May 5 and 6.

Further events have been planned throughout the year including “Rail ’n’ Ale” events on August 25 and 26.

For more information about the museum and the events it holds, call 01449 766899 or visit www.mslr.org.uk