ABOUT 100 train buffs will get a dream opportunity to ride behind Flying Scotsman on its inaugural run to York following a decade-long restoration.

The National Railway Museum has announced details of its spectacular showcases celebrating the long-awaited return of the steam celebrity to the tracks next year.

A spokeswoman said the public can get up close and personal with the loco on three separate occasions as part of the museum’s 2016 Flying Scotsman season, starting with the run between London Kings Cross and York, probably in February.

Public events manager Kate Hunter said:“Although we think it is likely to be late February, we have a number of logistical details to work out before we can announce a date for the inaugural run, the first chance for the public to see and ride behind Flying Scotsman in its latest guise as BR Green 60103.

"This historic occasion is a chance to thank many of our generous supporters for their patience during this challenging decade-long project to bring a 1920s-built cultural icon back to life and we anticipate there will be around 100 tickets available to the public.

“We expect its first outing as the oldest working locomotive on the mainline to be the ultimate experience for the dedicated Scotsman fan, however we are sure that hundreds more will attend its welcome home party at the museum where it will be displayed for a number of days after its triumphant arrival.

"Until we can confirm our date for the inaugural run, we don’t know how long this free museum event will be, so we’re asking Scotsman aficionados to watch this space!”

The loco can also be seen in its black undercoat during January test runs at the East Lancashire Railway and on the Railway Touring Company’s scenic Manchester-Carlisle route and then resplendent in its BR green livery at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in Pickering in March.

A ‘Starring Scotsman’ exhibition at the NRM will examine the ups and downs of the locomotive’s rollercoaster celebrity career between February and June, and a six week display in the Great Hall will tell the story of the luxury service between London and Edinburgh route throughout the eras, from the 1890s through to the swinging sixties.

Heritage Minster, Tracey Crouch, said: “From early 2016 the Scotsman will tour the UK as a working museum exhibit, educating fans of all ages about the wonders of the engineering behind its steam traction. This is a wonderful way to tell the story of this iconic and well-travelled locomotive and will ensure that people now and in the future understand why it is such an important part of Great Britain's heritage."