ONE of Hampshire's top tourist attractions wants to steam into a new era by building a narrow gauge railway.

Cars on show at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, will be joined by steam engines imported from South Africa if the scheme goes ahead.

Plans to construct the line were unveiled at the Beaulieu Estate's annual dinner.

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu's eldest son, the Hon Ralph Montagu, said the creation of the Beaulieu Light Railway was a long-held dream.

He added: "The project could see Beaulieu's historic motoring theme extended to one of vintage transport on road and rail, with steam trains transporting visitors around the estate in a style reminiscent of a past age.

"The first step will be to carry out a feasibility study, including an evaluation of possible routes.

"There will be a range of issues to address with local residents and statutory bodies and I'd be the first to admit that the project can succeed only if the environmental benefits are proved."

Mr Montagu pointed to the success of a similar railway at nearby Exbury Gardens.

He added: "That the railway at Exbury has now been operating for some years without causing widespread damage to the atmosphere of the Forest is encouraging."

Engines on the Beaulieu line will be fuelled by wood grown on the estate.

"We have been offered the loan of several veteran narrow gauge locomotives by the Sandstone Heritage Trust in South Africa," said Mr Montagu.

"This is a very exciting partnership as the Sandstone collection has some of the oldest working 2ft gauge engines in the world.

"I drove two of these very elegant engines at Sandstone earlier this year and know they would be ideal for operating at Beaulieu."

Organisations involved in the decision-making progress will include the New Forest National Park Authority, which gains its full powers next April.