A RAILWAY museum wants to build a restoration shed so it can begin work on a steam engine that dates back to the 1920s.

Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum, based at Brockford station, also wants to construct an exhibition room to inform visitors about the restoration process.

David Chappell, archivist at the museum, said: “It will be a tremendous boost, 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.

“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.”

The exhibition room is also being designed to be used by schoolchildren. A screen will show the engine’s live restoration process.

The museum is in the early of stages of applying 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 museum is currently closed, but will reopen for an Easter event for children on March 31.

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

Mid Suffolk is expected to announce its decision on the planning application by March 14. For more information about the museum’s events call 01449 766899.