RAIL travellers waiting in York for the mainline service to London have been trying to board a seaside-bound steam train.

The Scarborough Spa Express steam service between Scarborough and York, which runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until the end of August, immediately precedes the Kings Cross service at the station platform.

The fact there is a steam locomotive at one end of the train has still not deterred confused commuters.

Neil MacLeod, steam train spokesman, said: "You have to see it to believe it. They sometimes glance at the engine, see the old-fashioned carriages, but still get on board and return to reading their papers.

"I have seen a few do it, you have to get on board and politely explain the situation."

Some of the carriages used in the popular steam service are part of the rolling stock which was used in the Harry Potter movies.

Mr MacLeod said: "On one occasion, when asked if this was the train for London, guard Brian Caldwell jokingly responded: 'No, this is the train for the Harry Potter school of magic and wizardry'. The man just looked at his watch and shrugged.

"I think people are often on automatic pilot when they are travelling, or maybe they rather like the idea of going to London by steam train. Maybe we should run a special service."

For more information about the Scarborough Spa Express, log on to www.steamtrain.info

Updated: 11:22 Monday, August 11, 2003