Celebrity steeplejack Fred Dibnah headed for the heights today when he performed the topping out ceremony for the new £4 million wing at the National Railway Museum in York.

Fred, who is known almost as much for his love of steam engines as for his nail-biting job, was lifted to the roof of the new wing, called The Works, by a crane. He then called on the good luck charms of the ancient yew tree to wish the project well.

According to the museum, early builders believed that a branch of yew placed at the highest point of a structure would ward off evil spirits. A spring of the evergreen tree has traditionally been used in topping out ceremonies across the centuries.

The Works, due to open next summer, will house a new exhibition area and museum workshop giving visitors an insight into the restoration and conservation of locomotives and rolling stock.

Thousands of items from the museum's huge reserve collection will also go on display, including the 1945 royal saloon used by the Queen Mother.

New high-level balcony displays will offer hands-on opportunities to trace the story of the railway workers and a special trackside gallery will enable visitors to view state of the art signalling operations.

Sandra Bicknell, deputy head of the museum, said: "The extension is really taking shape and we are now finalising plans for the new galleries and exhibits it will contain.

"The Works is one of our most exciting developments. Innovative new interactive displays, rarely-seen treasures from the collection and live action from the workshop, will all add up to a truly memorable visitor experience."

The National Railway Museum can be found at http://www.nmsi.ac.uk/nrm/

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