They came from four schools – Woodlands at Gipton; Wykebeck, Killingbeck; Whitecoat, Bramley and White Laith, Whinmoor.

Sarah Byrne, spokeswoman for the Yorkshire Committee of the Variety Club of Great Britain who organised the visit, said: "Through our 'Variety at work' activity, we aim to give children entertaining and educational experiences.

"We are very grateful to the National Rail Museum for letting us treat the children to a day out which they will remember for a long time."

The youngsters took part in a "Trackwise" workshop which emphasised the importance of railway safety and they visited the museum's Interactive Learning Centre where they learned the science, technology and engineering behind railways.

They tried their hand at activities like signalling, bridge building and wheel tapping.

Dine Caterers of York and Leeds provided them with lunch before they ended the day on a high on the Great Yorkshire Wheel.