Railway buffs are getting steamed up about the re-painting of one of the most famous locomotives in the film world.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway maintenance staff are preparing to give a new coat of paint to the Green Dragon - the engine which starred in the classic movie, The Railway Children.

But instead of giving it a lick of green paint, they are preparing to give it the black livery with white piping of its original owners - the defunct Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.

The news has stoked up passions among the lovers of the famous film, which starred British actress Jenny Agutter, due to visit Haworth next month.

They think railway staff have gone off the rails and should paint the engine green to cash in on the engine's cinematic fame.

Some would like to see the famous old engine painted green in time for Miss Agutter's visit to on May 5 to take part on a charity walk to raise cash for cystic fibrosis.

Nigel Ward, who has posed as the film character The Old Gentleman in re-enactments, is one member who would like to see the engine painted green.

"It would be nice to see it in green for a short period over the summer because of its connection with the film," said Mr Ward, chairman of the railway trust. And Oakworth village sub postmaster John Sugden is also among the green fans.

"The film is held in a lot of affection in this area and I'm sure a lot of people would like to see the engine in green," he said.

Mr Sugden was in his early 20s and about to get married when the movie was shot on the Keighley & Worth Valley line in 1970.

And it ran on the Keighley & Worth Valley line in the green livery until it was painted a drab British Railways black.

A railway spokesman said the locomotive had undergone a complete restoration over the last four or five years at a cost of £100,000.

It was to start in service again when the re-painting was completed. The original black of the Lancashire & Yorkshire railway was preferred but he admitted some fans of the film - and some members - would like to see the engine back in green.

Anyone who thinks the railway has got it wrong is invited to have their say by writing to The Old Gentleman, KWVR, The Railway Station, Haworth, Keighley, BD22 8NJ.

l Jenny Agutter is special guest at a sponsored Railway Children walk and charity fun day in Haworth, on Sunday, May 5, in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. She is due to start the walk in Haworth Park at 10am and officially open the fun day, also in the park, at 11am