In pictures: Flying Scotsman returns to the mainline for test run

THE world's most famous steam locomotive briefly returned to the east coast mainline today for the first time in 10 years.
The Flying Scotsman passes through York station today on a test run ahead of its inaugural passenger journey from Kings Cross to York on Thursday. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA WireThe Flying Scotsman passes through York station today on a test run ahead of its inaugural passenger journey from Kings Cross to York on Thursday. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
The Flying Scotsman passes through York station today on a test run ahead of its inaugural passenger journey from Kings Cross to York on Thursday. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

The Flying Scotsman passed through York station after leaving the National Railway Museum at lunchtime en route to Scarborough, delighting hundreds of rail enthusiasts gathered to see it.

The engine was carrying out a test run ahead of pulling its inaugural passenger service from King’s Cross to York on Thursday.

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It had been scheduled to make the journey yesterday, but was forced to abandon the trip after a damaged spring was discovered in its brakes.

The Flying Scotsman, painted in its British Railways green livery, at York station. Picture: PAThe Flying Scotsman, painted in its British Railways green livery, at York station. Picture: PA
The Flying Scotsman, painted in its British Railways green livery, at York station. Picture: PA

The Scotsman is returning to the tracks after a decade-long, £4.2 million refit which was completed earlier this year.

Last month, it emerged into the East Lancashire heritage railway’s Bury Bolton Street station after the final stages of the work at a nearby yard.

The locomotive has been repainted in British Railways green livery and had its nameplates reattached ahead of its inaugural run.

Tickets for the Flying Scotsman’s first run north of the border in 16 years have already sold out.

The engine last pulled a passenger excursion in 2005. Picture: PAThe engine last pulled a passenger excursion in 2005. Picture: PA
The engine last pulled a passenger excursion in 2005. Picture: PA

It will operate separate excursions from Edinburgh on the Borders Railway, and over the Forth Bridge to Fife, on Sunday, 15 May.

The 425 seats available, priced from £59-£170, sold out within 90 minutes of going on sale.

The Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster in 1923 and soon became the star locomotive of the British railway system, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.