IT'S full steam ahead for Milburns, which has won a ten-year £20 million total turnover contract, retaining the catering for York's National Railway Museum (NRM).

The organisation, part of All Leisure, the specialist sport and leisure division of Compass Group, has signed-up to continuing to run the NRM's restaurant, caf, corporate entertainment services and provide catering on-board the museum's newest and most exciting exhibit, Flying Scotsman.

The NRM, in Leeman Road, hosts Britain's largest single body of historic railway material, and the catering facilities reflect the fascination and nostalgia at the 240-seat Brief Encounter licensed restaurant, alongside grand old steam trains.

The restaurant area is one of York's most popular corporate dinner venues, hosting annual dinners for organisations such as the Society of Editors and the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Only last week, the NRM itself set Milburns head chef Peter Brown and his team the massive task of catering for a record 660 guests - at its annual dinner. Milburns also runs the 80-seat Signal Box Caf in the museum's main hall, and organises a summer barbecue in the south yard

Milburns played a vital role in the NRM, winning the Most Unique Conferencing Venue of the Year 2003/4 from Business Britain, and 2001's European Museum of the Year Award sponsored by the Council of Europe.

Angus O'Donnell, general manager of Milburns at the NRM, said: "It was important to the National Railway Museum that we always understood the imaginative scope of this venue and what its clients might expect from it. We want to continue to create an inspiring, welcoming environment, with affordable menus that reflect the tastes and requirements of the museum's visitors."

Updated: 11:15 Friday, November 12, 2004