Video: The Flying Scotsman crosses the Forth Bridge

The Flying Scotsman made its second crossing over the Forth Bridge earlier today since its 2016 restoration. Picture: SWNS

SCOTLAND was treated to a '˜reunion' of two world-famous rail icons earlier today as the Flying Scotsman passed over the Forth Bridge for the second time since its restoration.

A mass of people was present at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station this morning to greet the vintage steam engine as it rolled in towards platform 20 at precisely 11:24.

Fifteen minutes later the 94-year-old Flying Scotsman, occupied by 395 passengers, chuffed and puffed its way westward to make a highly-anticipated crossing over the 127-year-old Forth Bridge, its first since 15 May 2016.

The Flying Scotsman made its second crossing over the Forth Bridge earlier today since its 2016 restoration. Picture: SWNS

Hundreds of photographers and trainspotters filled the best vantage points at North and South Queensferry to capture the moment that the two world-famous icons were reunited.

There were more than 300 at Glenrothes, 150 at Kirkcaldy, and around 100 each at Dalmeny, North Queensferry and Dalgety Bay.

A spokesman said there had been no reports of fans straying onto the line to get a closer look or reports of drones flying illegally above rail lines, which were being patrolled by its helicopter.

Today’s Flying Scotsman tour of Scotland is the steam engine’s second since a decade-long, £4.2 million restoration was completed last year.