THE Severn Valley Railway will open its normally closed doors to the locomotive yard this weekend for the Festival of Steam Gala.

On Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, visitors will also be able to have a rare behind-the-scenes insight into the carriage shed and boiler repair shops.

SVR marketing manager John Leach said: "We're baring all this weekend to show that while we're in the business of running heritage steam trains, there's another side to the railway that the public doesn't normally see. With a bit of luck, the interest created will help add a few more names to the SVR membership list."

The gala itself, which traditionally attracts steam enthusiasts from all corners of the map and brings a welcome out-of-season surge in bookings for local bed-and-breakfast houses and hotels, is a real feast of steam. Eight different locomotives will travel on a total of 150 journeys between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

Kidderminster Railway Museum, adjacent to the SVR station, will be open from 10am on both days, and the railway's two real ale pubs - the King and Castle at Kidderminster, and The Railwayman's Arms at Bridgnorth, will both be well stocked.

Tickets are £17 for one day; £27 both days; senior citizens are £14 a day and £22 for two, and children, (five-15), £8.50 and £13.50.