A MODEL train enthusiast hopes to stoke up three old steam engines and put them back on the right track.

They have been stationed in the stores at Bolton Museum for years but Albert Stones hopes to give them a new lease of life.

The pensioner, who has been keen on trains since he was a boy, drives locomotives on the model railway in Moss Bank Park.

Now he hopes to run some of the museum's engines on the line in the park which he helped to build.

He said: "Some engines are on display in the museum but others are tucked away from public view in the stores. I'd love to get at least one of them running again."

Albert, aged 69, and his friends in the Moss Bank Park Engineering Society have offered to test and restore some of the museum's engines before running them in the park.

Their railway has carried more than 250,000 passengers since it opened and has engines named after a number of local dignitaries -- including education director Margaret Blenkinsop.

They build up a good head of steam nearly every weekend and keep the trains on time despite a constant battle against vandals. Now they cannot wait to start work on the models in the museum.

The idea of restoring the engines came from former Hulton Park councillor Eric Hyland, another model train fan.

He said: "It is a long time since the engines have been in operation.

"They will have to see if the engines are the right gauge and test them to make sure they are in good working order. But if anyone can get them working, it's Albert."

Mr Stones is set to meet museum officials next week to see if any of the engines can be repaired.