Doncaster's Flying Scotsman to return to the railway after multi-million pound refurbishment

The famous locomotive is returning to its home in York on Thursday, February 25.

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.

The locomotive has been refurbished after the National Rail Museum bought it for £2.3 million in 2004, with work starting in 2006.

Train enthusiasts can to win a ride behind the engine on the inaugural run, which is expected to be watched by thousands of spectators along the 200-mile route.

Last month, some railway enthusiasts were in tears when Flying Scotsman emerged into the East Lancashire Railway’s Bury Bolton Street station after the final stages of its refit at a nearby yard.

Hundreds of people lined the Lancashire tracks and bridges to catch a glimpse of the locomotive as other trains were suspended for the day.

Tickets for the inaugural run go on sale today.

Jim Lowe, head of operations at the National Railway Museum, said: “Along with all our generous supporters for this complex project to bring a 1920s-built cultural icon back to life, we have all been looking forward to this historic day when Flying Scotsman steams again.

“As well as seeing the icon out and about, the public can experience the essence of Flying Scotsman first-hand at our museum with our 2016 Scotsman Season sponsored by Virgin Trains on its east coast route.

“We hope the public will join us from the afternoon of Thursday 25 February to welcome Flying Scotsman home. First we will be showing it in light steam in our North Yard and then it will finish off as the centre of attention on our Great Hall turntable before moving on to its next tour date at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.”

For details of how to win one of five pairs of tickets worth £450 to ride behind the engine visit www.flyingscotsman.org.uk.