Flying Scotsman is due to fly secretly through Darlington tomorrow

The Flying Scotsman, which has thrilled train enthusiasts since its arrival on the steam locomotive scene a hundred years ago, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

However, the locomotive is always guaranteed to attract a crowd as it travels through Darlington and the surrounding area NewcastleThis year it proved particularly popular as everyone wanted to take part in the anniversary campaign.

Read more: Darlington: Replica of Locomotion No 1 becomes ‘star of the show’ for its 200th birthday

And the crowds are expected to get even bigger on Thursday (September 14) when the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle train, described as Britain’s “luxury train”, runs.

As a result, officials have decided not to publish the exact route and timing of the journey through the north-east to Edinburgh to ensure the hordes of trainspotters expected to arrive are safe.

A spokesman for Northern Belle said: “We appreciate that many people want to see and take photos of this wonderful spectacle.

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“After all, it’s not every day that the world’s most famous locomotive pulls Britain’s most luxurious train.

“But safety is paramount and the last thing we want is for people to endanger themselves and jeopardize the safety of others by crowding on railway embankments and level crossings.”

More than 250 people paid £750 each for the sold-out trip to Scotland – but it also includes a champagne brunch on the outward journey, followed by a delicious six-course meal with wine on the way home.

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The spokesman said: “We could have sold out the train three times, that’s how popular Flying Scotsman is. “It really is the trip of a lifetime.”

But all he revealed about the timetable was that the train was scheduled to leave York at 7.20am before picking up more passengers at Darlington at 8.30am and Newcastle at 9.10am.

The Northern Belle will return to Darlington, Durham and Newcastle in December for a fancy Christmas dinner excursion. Fares start from £295 – tickets can be purchased on the Northern Belle website.