The Railway Museum in Bo'ness is to be the subject of a members business debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 4th February.

The debate comes hot on the heels of an exhibition in the parliament by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (see attached photograph), which was sponsored by Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie. The exhibition highlighted the work of the SRPS in Bo'ness, and their plans for the future.

The Society's aspiration, as recent members' motions have noted, is to build on its success and inspire a new generation of engineers, encouraging active participation through volunteering.

Cathy said: "The Railway Museum in Bo'ness is more than just a national treasure - it is one of Europe's major transport collections. There are exhibits that are unique within the UK, without parallel even in the collection in York. We need to give it the recognition and support it deserves. The museum brings the past to life and enables people to experience our heritage. It boosts the local and national economy.

"But the SRPS could do more, if it were given more support. They have many plans that are raring to go, such as improvements at the Manuel junction, extending their education work; and expanding the scope of activities for volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds - if funding can be found."

The debate picks up on the themes of the exhibition and in particular will highlight the contribution made by the late John Burnie. Both Chris Harvie (a close friend of John Burnie) and Cathy Peattie, the local MSP, have tabled motions on John Burnie and the Railway Museum (see below), which have attracted widespread support.

The motions were:

S3M-05382 Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Scottish Labour): John Burnie: That the Parliament expresses sympathy to the widow and family of the late John Burnie, 1946 to 2009, engineer and effective founder, through the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, of the Scottish Railway Museum at Bo'ness, one of Europe's greatest railway collections, and expresses support for John Burnie's longer-term ambition to make the museum a centre of technical education, an issue of great importance in coping with new engineering challenges.

S3M-05490# Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish National Party): Bo'ness Scottish Railway Museum - That the Parliament pays tribute to the Scottish Railway Museum at Bo'ness, one of Europe's major transport collections and a leading Scottish tourist attraction, and to its founder, the late John Burnie, and also commends John Burnie's ambition to see the Scottish Railway Museum play its part in inspiring and training the new generation of engineers needed for infrastructure and manufacturing in the entire Forth basin.