IMPROVEMENTS to an Eastleigh railway attraction are on track, according to a train driver and controller at the Wide Lane site.

Max Millard, who has worked at the mini railway for 12 years, believes the new-look Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway should be unveiled this summer.

He is confident that the inclusion of a new shop, cafe and function room will provide better services for customers.

He also thinks the refurbishment will be welcomed by the increasing number of nostalgic visitors who have been flocking to the attraction in recent times.

Mr Millard has been a volunteer at the railway since it opened in 1992 and has seen it grow from a 400-yard straight track into a one and a quarter mile circuit with a tunnel.

He says the expansion of the facilities will be crucial to the success of the railway.

"We had 60,000 visitors last year including many people from America and Japan who came to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends," said Mr Millard.

Rosemary Hart, 53, of Carisbrooke Crescent, Chandler's Ford, works in the shop at the railway and she also thinks the new caf is an excellent idea.

She said: "It will keep people in here longer as they won't have to travel into Eastleigh for a bite to eat."

The railway is very popular with children because of visits by Thomas the Tank Engine and the play park, but adults have recently been arriving in their droves.

Mr Millard believes there is a trend for nostalgia tourism and the steam locos can serve as a romantic reminder of times gone by.

The Eastleigh Steam Railway is open from 10.30am-4.30pm throughout the Easter holidays. The next visit from Thomas the Tank Engine will be from May 29 to June 6.