RAILWAY enthusiasts of all ages gathered at York station to wave off legendary locomotive The Flying Scotsman on its inaugural Scarborough trip yesterday.

Scores of people watched as television presenter Richard Whiteley blew the whistle to mark the start of the historic rail icon's first passenger journey since it was saved for the nation by York's National Railway Museum.

The world famous 81-year-old Doncaster-built Pacific took 450 guests, including members of the Flying Scotsman's Supporters' Club, who gave cash to keep the locomotive in Great Britain, from York to Scarborough on the first of its "summer specials".

Andrew Scott, head of the National Railway Museum, said: "We are delighted that the public will be able to ride behind Flying Scotsman this summer and to see it in the museum. This will be a very special summer for everyone who helped to save the locomotive for the nation.

"The summer steam specials, which run Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until August 31, provide the first opportunity for Flying Scotsman supporters, fans and people from all over the UK and overseas to ride behind the museum's newest attraction."

Passengers will have a choice of three types of journey: a lunchtime excursion, an evening Sundowner Special, or a full day excursion. Journeys can also be started in Scarborough.

Travelling with Richard Whiteley was Alan Pegler, the man who first owned Flying Scotsman when it was sold by British Rail in 1963.

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, July 21, 2004