Hundreds of people turned out to see The Flying Scotsman as it steamed through Nottingham on its first official journey after a £4.2m restoration.
Ita pssed through Newark Northgate Station this morning and on to, Carlton-on-Trent Loop and Retford.
Network Rail had to briefly halt its progress and all other services on the East Coast Mainline at around 9am because of trespassers on the line.
“Huge numbers” of people were sighted north of London close to the tracks trying to take pictures, the operator said.
Services resumed at a slower pace, which delayed the train’s arrival in Newark by around 30mins.
It is the first time the Flying Scotsman has taken an official journey following the National Railway Museum’s decade-long restoration.
The famous engine was retired from service in 1963 but remains an iconic locomotive and the historical figurehead of the steam age.
Flying Scotsman has left King's Cross Station as it heads up the East Coast Mainline to York. pic.twitter.com/2i9V9ry7lE
— BBC Look North (EYL) (@looknorthBBC) February 25, 2016
It is travelling from Kings Cross to York with people paying as much as £450 to experience the journey.
The Notts TV cameras are there for the historic journey with all the highlights appearing tonight’s evneing new bulletins at 5.30pm, 5pm, 7pm and 10pm via Freeview Channel 8, Virgin 159 and Sky 117.
The Flying Scotsman passes the Emirates Stadium 😍🚂 #FlyingScotsman pic.twitter.com/jSMYk9rgt8
— Loyal Goonerette 🇬🇧🇧🇩 (@TaZRahman7) February 25, 2016
Network Rail has warned people to stay off the tracks while the train continues its journey after the earlier disruption.
https://twitter.com/networkrailPR/status/702785590723485696
In a statement Netwrork Rail said just after 9am: “We are all excited to see the Flying Scotsman return to our rails and we know many people have waited many years for this. Please stay safe and keep away from the trackside. Normal services are still running.
“The number of people beside the track is already giving us safety concerns and means we are having to slow trains down. Trespassing on the railway is illegal and incredibly dangerous, please help us to make today a success and stay off the railway.”
The #FlyingScotsman literally flying by @Virgin_TrainsEC pic.twitter.com/jDMkINuKo0
— Hayley McQueen (@HayleyMcQueen) February 25, 2016
Legendary engine: The Flying Scotsman in profile
- The train was made in 1924 in Doncaster and was renowned for it’s London to Edinburgh journey
- The locomotive achieved international fame by becoming the first steam train to officially be recorded reaching 100mph in 1934
- It broke more records in 1989 when it travelled 422 miles in Australia setting the record for longest non-stop run by a steam engine
- The train was retired from regular service in 1963 after covering more than two million miles
- The National Railway Museum has spent more than £4 million and 10 years returning the train to its former glory
