STEAM powered this country into the modern age and put York on the map, thanks to the far-reaching benefits of the railways.

While steam locomotives have declined to become a merely a popular tourist attraction, the effects of the world's first working steam locomotive, which puffed into life 200 years ago, are still being felt today.

It has always been fitting that this railway city should host the National Railway Museum, and now the museum will be raising York's profile even higher, thanks to the Railfest event, which will attract visitors from around the world.

Full steam ahead once more.

Updated: 10:44 Thursday, February 19, 2004