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In a joint venture with Rapiscan's Cargo and Vehicle Inspection division, Manchester's Museum of Science & Industry and the University of Manchester, the New Rapiscan Eagle M60 was used to scan the Museum's replica 1830 steam locomotive the Stephenson's Planet.

The construction of the Planet locomotive is revealed in a fascinating X-ray image taken by the M60, which shows its complicated system of boiler tubes, cylinders, valves and watertank. It is the first time that such an image has been taken of a steam locomotive.

Dr Ed Morton of Rapiscan Systems said: "The Rapiscan Eagle M60 was designed to effectively identify contraband hidden within all manner of dense cargo and vehicle types, therefore the opportunity to test the penetration our new M60 mobile unit on a Locomotive especially one as iconic as the Planet was of real interest and a great honour."

Robin Holgate, MOS'?s Head of Interpretation and Learning said: "It's fascinating to see the insides of Planet in the image taken by Rapiscan's Eagle M60 and really helps us to understand the complex engineering behind this 19th century technology. We hope to display the photo in the future for our visitors to see the inner workings of our favourite steam locomotive."

Rapiscan Systems works regularly with the University of Manchester and funds research work by mathematics postgraduates to help develop X-ray imaging, including work on the M60. Bill Lionheart Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester commented on the scan: "Stephenson's Planet was made for the first passenger railway here in the North West so it seems fitting to make an X-ray image of it with Rapiscan's Eagle truck scanner, which has also been developed in the region. Unlike Stephenson's more famous rocket the cylinders of Planet are inside. With Rapiscan's huge X-ray machine we should be able to show the inside  workings of the engine."

The original Planet steam locomotive was built by Robert Stephenson and ran on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway  the world's first passenger railway, built in 1830. MOSI is based in the buildings of the former Liverpool Road railway station the oldest surviving station on the line.

For more information on MOSI, please visit www.mosi.org.uk

About Rapiscan Systems
Rapiscan Systems, a division of OSI Systems, Inc. is a leading global supplier of security inspection solutions utilizing X-ray and gamma-ray imaging, and advanced threat identification techniques such as neutron and diffraction analysis. The company's products are sold into four market segments; Baggage and Parcel Inspection, Cargo and Vehicle Inspection, Hold Baggage Screening and People Screening. The company has an installed base globally of more than 70,000 security and inspection systems. The Rapiscan Systems product line is manufactured at four locations and supported by a global support service network. The company was recognized for its market leadership with one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious distinctions, The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, and named by Frost & Sullivan as the 2008 North American Homeland Security Inspection and Screening Company of the Year.

For more information on Rapiscan Systems, please visit www.rapiscansystems.com.