Here is a brief potted-history of how an idea turned into a campaign, that turned into a wonderful restoration of a British icon.

November 2003: The NRM says it may step in to by Flying Scotsman, amid reports it may be sold off to a Japanese of American theme park

December 2003: Calls grow for the NRM to step in

March 2004: The Save Our Scotsman campaign is launched. Within days, pledges pour in.

April 2004: Victory! The NRM wins its battle

May 2004: Railfest 2004, and Flying Scotsman returns to York to cheering crowds, but it has to be towed in rather than entering in steam - a hint of the long restoration work that lay ahead.

July 2004: Flying Scotsman heads from York to Scarborough

2005: More runs and more crowds, as enthusiasts rush to ride the famous loco

September 2005: NRM bosses announce Flying Scotsman will be off the tracks for 20 months, for a major overhaul

October 2006: The NRM holds an auction in aid of the restoration

October 2007: Restoration continues - but the estimated completion date is now 2009...

February 2009: ... Make that 2010...

February 2010:... or 2011...

December 2010: The NRM turns down an anonymous £2.5m offer for Flying Scotsman

May 2011: Donors who helped fund the restoration are given a glimpse of the locomotive

May 2012: Railfest 2012 - Flying Scotsman is a star attraction, but the restoration work is not yet finished

October 2012: The restoration bill tops £2.67m

March 2013: The bill goes up, and the NRM say Flying Scotsman won't be back on the tracks until 2015

January 2014: There are no more problems, say NRM bosses. Work continues apace...

January 2015: Work to be completed "by the end of the year"

July 2015: The restoration enters the final stages...

November 2015: A series of celebratory events is announced

February 2016: The long wait is over!