THE FLYING Scotsman has steamed into York station, with three of its newer relatives by its side

The historic locomotive arrived in York station at around 8am on Sunday, alongside a brand new Virgin Trains Azuma train, and two other modern trains from the company's fleet.

The four trains were taking part in a historic spectacle travelling side-by-side down the line from Tollerton, south of Easingwold.

Paul Kirkman, Director for the National Railway Museum, which is custodian of the Flying Scotsman, said: "In what is genuinely a world first with our engines of the past, present and future coming together in this way.

"The National Railway Museum is delighted to have supported this unique celebration of our railway heritage, unlikely to be seen again in our lifetimes. It’s fitting to see the Flying Scotsman participate in something of this magnitude.”

The Flying Scotsman, the Azuma Class 800, the HST Class 43 and the InterCity225 Class 91, were due to set off for their slow journey to York at 5am.

Crowds of rail enthusiasts and history buffs gathered at York station - where a big screen had been erected to show the progress of the four trains.

David Horne, Managing Director for Virgin Trains on the east coast, said the idea first emerged last year when Flying Scotsman went back on the rails after its restoration and the Azuma was launched soon afterwards.

It took a long time to find a time when the tracks would be free to host the four trains travelling in the same direction, he said, and York was chosen to host the event partly because engineering works further up the line at Thirsk meant that stretch of the rails would be empty for a few hours this morning.

However, with normal trains due to start at 10am they had a small window of time for the spectacle to take place, he added.

Rob McIntosh, managing director for Network Rail on the London North Eastern and East Midlands route, said: “The East Coast Mainline and its long heritage is uniquely placed to have run these four historic trains from four different generations side by side.

"This was a long-standing vision for both myself and our industry partners and that vision has become a reality, creating a wonderful occasion to help us celebrate our proud rail heritage as well as the ongoing success of Britain’s railways.

"To have achieved this truly special, once in a generation event with the eyes of the world watching – and to have not caused any disruption to regular rail passengers - makes me immensely proud to have helped to make a moment in railway history."

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