David, who lives in central Manchester, is a regular MOSI visitor and will join the new MOSI club, which was launched this year to celebrate the Museum’s 25 anniversary.
The new scheme includes free and discounted entry to Museum events, train rides and behind the scenes tours, as well as previews to special exhibitions..
After his ride on the replica 1830 Planet steam train, David enjoyed a bacon butty cooked on the shovel inside loco's firebox.
“I’m a big fan of the Museum so it’s great to be asked to become an honorary member," said David. "Although I’m not as fanatical about trains as my character in Coronation Street, I’m fascinated with industrial history and heritage and I’ve always been a regular MOSI visitor, so I’ll be back soon to use some of my train passes and perhaps even learn how to drive the train."
"I’m keen to support the new membership scheme as it will help to fund the work the Museum is doing to protect Manchester’s heritage and tell the stories of the people who created it.”
The original Planet was built in 1830 by Robert Stephenson and ran on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, which opened in the same year and was the first passenger railway in the world. MOSI is housed in the original buildings of the former Liverpool Road station – the end of the line for the railway, and the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station.
Granada TV's Coronation Street stuido set is just next door, so David should be able to easily use his membership.
The MOSI membership scheme costs from £25 for adults to £50 for a family of four. For more information contact Julie Earith on Tel: 0161 606 0177 or visit www.mosi.org.uk.
