A miniature railway and rides in a horse-drawn carriage are some of the attractions on offer at a special birthday bash at Steam next month The Museum of the Great Western Railway will open its doors to railway enthusiasts on June 12 and 13 between 10am and 5pm when there will be plenty of fun for all the family.

Carers and young people from the Home and Away scheme, Swindon Council’s respite care service, will be the first to have a special ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and there will also be the chance to climb aboard Steam’s famous locomotives to discover the history of the Great Western Railway.

Rides in the horse-drawn carriage are free, but donations can be made, with all money going to Steam’s Acquisitions Fund, which improves the collection at the museum.

There will be an added bonus for visitors with the opportunity to take a free bus ride from the museum to the GWR 175 Steam Gala at the volunteer-run Swindon and Cricklade Railway in Blunsdon and take a ride on some of the great steam locomotives, including the Swindon-built City of Truro.

Advance tickets for Steam’s 10th birthday celebrations and the GWR 175 Gala can be bought via the Swindon and Cricklade Railway’s website: www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org Steam’s birthday celebrations are part of a year-long programme of events at the museum to mark the 175th anniversary of the creation of the Great Western Railway. For more information about the GWR 175 events log on to www.swindon.gov.uk/steam Alternatively, call Steam on 01793 466637 or 01793 466646.