CREWE'S train workers will host another Open Weekend next May 31/June 1.

It will be a showcase for engines of the past, present and future and organisers hope to raise at least £60,000 for local and railway charities.

"We aim to make it the best event yet," said Publicity Director Neil Harvey.

"Conditions could not be better to hold a big engine spectacular, as many of the Crewe built mainline engines will be returned to traffic," he added.

High on the list of locomotives to be invited will be crowd pullers such as The Duke of Gloucester, Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Sutherland and Leander, none of which were available for the previous weekend in 2000.

"The locomotive guest list is now being prepared and the organisers are looking to top the last event when 50 items of rolling stock attended with up to 75 items including prestige diesel and electrical units," said Mr Harvey.

The weekend will also feature a major model railway exhibition, trade stands, memorabilia displays, cab rides and a print run of a new Philip Hawkins painting.

The Crewe works, now owned by Bombardier Transportation, stages an Open Weekend every three to four years.

Attendances have often topped 20,000 and charity money raised has reached the £40,00 mark.

Mr Harvey outlined the organising committee's reasons for choosing to support Heritage Railways.

"They were conscious of the number of challenges and opportunities that the preserved lines in the area face and 50 per cent of the profits that are raised will go to support projects such as the Corwen extension of Llangollen and further development of the Churnet Line," he said.