TENS of thousands of rail buffs from all over the country have been making their way to York’s National Railway Museum for Britain’s biggest ever gathering of train record breakers.

Railfest – a nine day family festival expected to attract more than 65,000 people – was launched on Saturday in an outdoor area the size of 11 football pitches.

Stars of the event include the Flying Scotsman, the Mallard, the Brighton Belle brake car, the world’s first electric Pullman and the Mardy Monster, the country’s most powerful industrial steam loco.

Another locomotive which has been brought to the museum since Railfest started is the Princess Elizabeth, which was part of the Royal Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in London on Sunday.

Visitors to Railfest have also been able to take a ride on standard gauge, narrow gauge and miniature railways, climb inside drivers’ cabs and stand on their footplates and marvel at the world in miniature of a model steam railway.

Railfest will be open to the public until Sunday, (June 10) by when 65,000 enthusiasts are expected to have come through the doors.

Admission to the outdoor area starts at £8, although entry to the museum itself remains free.

Visit nrm.org.uk/railfest2012 for more information.