Ambitious plans to bring Carlisle's railway heritage - and create new visitors attractions - have sprung into life.

The Carlisle Railway City Group put forward its ideas of how best celebrate and tell the story of the railways at a presentation and consultation event at Tullie House on Saturday.

More then 50 people gathered to hear what they had to say and gave their own input into the initiative, which its hoped will become a catalyst in encouraging people across the city to get involved in various projects.

The group of enthusiasts believe Carlisle should be as well know for its railways as York, Crewe and Swindon.

Suggestions to make that happened include the establishment of a railway museum, research into railway workers and individual streets, to look at how the railways shaped the city, and the creation of dedicated walks along old lines.

Chaired by broadcaster Eric Robson, the presentation included a handful of speakers looking at different aspects of the project.

Steve Matthews spoke of the importance of people - parents and grandparents and great grandparents who worked on the railways.

"It's an exciting story and it's a story the city must tell but it's a story we have failed to tell.

"We are one of the great railway cities but we don't say anything about it," he said.

"Everyone that worked in various jobs has got a fascinating story to tell and they are at risk of being lost."

He said families all have someone who worked on the railways and it is time to start researching them.

He added that so much of Carlisle was created by the railways or as a result of the railways. Street names have been influenced by the seven railways - the network of lines at Currock and Botcherby to the vast marshalling yards at Kingstown - that met here and helped the city expand and prosper with their growth.

"This is all wonderful, fascinating, detailed history about what was happening to people's lives," said Mr Matthews.

"There is a very exciting history in Carlisle to be uncovered and I think the people of Carlisle ought to be uncovering it."

Roger Cooke, chairman of Tullie House Trust, put forward ideas about what a museum includes and where best to look towards the development of a railway museum in the city.

Tullie House has a railway gallery but Mr Cooke said it does not give the city's rich history of train travel the credit it is worthy of.

York's National Railway Museum and the London Transport Museum, he said, were prime examples of successful models to follow.

Locations suggested for a museum - to tell the 19th and 20th century social and economic history of Carlisle as well as looking to the future - include the undercroft below platform one in Citadel Station or somewhere nearby. A multi-location or outdoor museum, Mr Cooke said, could also be an option.

"However we do it we need to get some much more exciting exhibitions.

"We need to think really ambitiously how to create the wow factor," he said.

"We might be able to put some objects on display in the station to lead to an exhibition."

It's hoped the initiative could be backed by National Lottery funding.

Schemes are already underway to reopen the Waverley Viaduct, to develop trails in Botchergate and London Road and to develop a new railway gallery at Tullie House.