THE Flying Scotsman has said its final farewell to the man who saved it for the nation.

Businessman Alan Pegler rescued the iconic engine from the scrapheap and brought it back to life after it was retired by British Rail.

It cost him £3,000 and he spent many years of his life - and his family fortune - restoring the 60103 Flying Scotsman to pristine condition, in its original green livery.

Last weekend, as per Alan's final wishes, his ashes were scattered in the firebox of his beloved loco as it climbed up Stoke Bank on the East Coast Mainline, on the stretch of track where the engine first reached 100mph, entering the record books in 1934.

The committal of Alan's ashes was accompanied by a long blast on the Scotsman's whistle, while passengers on board remained silent as a mark of respect.

A second blast signalled the end of the committal and invited passengers to toast Alan's memory and achievements with a glass of champagne.

Also on board for the special journey from Kings Cross to York was Alan's daughter, Penny Vaudoyer, and a number of his friends.

The trip was organised by Steam Dreams Rail Co, in association with the National Ralway Museum (NRM), Network Rail, West Coast Railways and Riley Engineering.

Steam Dreams chairman, David Buck, said: "I have been very grateful for all the help that made this unique trip possible.

"I have been simply amazed by the sheer well of affection for Alan, who is clearly the man the nation thinks of when talking about the Flying Scotsman and its post-BR career.

"From top to bottom throughout the industry everybody came together to make this possible and it was a truly wonderful and emotional tribute to a great man."

Peglar, who died in March 2012, aged 91, bought the Flying Scotsman in 1963 and, after several years of successful mainline running, he took it on a trade tour in the US. The trip bankrupted him.

The locomotive was then bought by Sir William McAlpine, who repatriated it. It was eventually purchased by the NRM, who gave it a £1.5 million makeover.

Following a nationwide tour, the Flying Scotsman will remain on display in the NRM's South Yard until December 11, when the engine will go for winter maintenance.