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Flying Scotsman on London King's Cross to York run | Flying Scotsman on London King's Cross to York run |
(about 2 hours later) | |
One of the world's most famous locomotives has completed its inaugural run after a decade-long, £4.2m refit. | |
The Flying Scotsman made the journey from London King's Cross to York, where it will go on display at the National Railway Museum (NRM). | |
It arrived in York about 13.20 GMT, almost an hour later than expected, after it was twice held up by reports of trespassers. | |
The engine, which retired from service in 1963, has been restored for the NRM. | |
Follow the Flying Scotsman's progress on our live page | Follow the Flying Scotsman's progress on our live page |
Former MP turned TV presenter Michael Portillo, said: "This is certainly the most famous journey and most famous locomotive in Britain." | Former MP turned TV presenter Michael Portillo, said: "This is certainly the most famous journey and most famous locomotive in Britain." |
The first disruption happened at about 09:00 near St Neots when the train was brought to a standstill while British Transport Police cleared the lines after reports of around 60 people on the track. No arrests were made. | |
Network Rail said the number of people on the trackside had caused "safety concerns" and resulted in a number of services, including Flying Scotsman, having to slow down." | |
The train was halted a second time north of Doncaster following reports of trespassers on the track which were later found to be false. | |
Crowds gathered at King's Cross for its scheduled departure at 07:40 and thousands lined the route, while some of the 297 passengers paid up to £450 for a ticket to travel on the train. | |
Among the passengers was 83-year-old Ron Kennedy, from Leigh-on-Sea, in Essex, who drove Flying Scotsman from 1956 until it was retired in 1963. | Among the passengers was 83-year-old Ron Kennedy, from Leigh-on-Sea, in Essex, who drove Flying Scotsman from 1956 until it was retired in 1963. |
He said "It's unbelievable. I never dreamt about being on it again. To be out with it is just fantastic." | He said "It's unbelievable. I never dreamt about being on it again. To be out with it is just fantastic." |
NRM director, Paul Kirkman, said the restoration project was a "long old journey" but added that it was "incredibly satisfying" to see the locomotive returned to service. | NRM director, Paul Kirkman, said the restoration project was a "long old journey" but added that it was "incredibly satisfying" to see the locomotive returned to service. |
The locomotive undertook a series of test runs through Cumbria and Lancashire earlier this year. | The locomotive undertook a series of test runs through Cumbria and Lancashire earlier this year. |
Flying Scotsman | Flying Scotsman |