"WE are chuffed." So says Stephen Johnson, head of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, after its £1.8 million grant helped save the Flying Scotsman for Britain.

There will be a lot of chuffed people today, including everyone who cares about Britain's heritage, all at the National Railway Museum and York tourist bosses.

In the past, large lottery grants were squandered on some highly debatable causes. Today, however, fund bosses have got it right.

To see the Flying Scotsman disappear abroad would have been a bitter blow. The world's most famous steam locomotive is symbolic of British industry, innovation and engineering.

And it is no lifeless exhibit. In full steam the Flying Scotsman is still a glorious sight. Large crowds gather to watch wherever it goes.

That is because engine No 4472 enchants people of all ages and backgrounds, many of whom have contributed to the public appeal. Its widespread attraction contrasts sharply with those pet projects of the London-based chattering classes which have previously won Lottery millions.

We must congratulate National Railway Museum bosses for their triumph today. The museum was the obvious home for the Flying Scotsman, but bosses still had to make the case for so much public money.

A highly successful fundraising appeal was the centrepiece of a professional bid which won support from politicians, businesses and the public.

Securing the Scotsman is a genuine coup for Europe's best museum and will certainly draw more visitors to the city. And the £500,000 from Yorkshire Forward will enable the NRM to make the most of this must-see.

One day soon the Flying Scotsman will steam into York. There is only one way to describe that prospect.

Chuffing marvellous.

Updated: 11:10 Monday, April 05, 2004