The Flying Scotsman: World Famous Steam Engine Locomotive built in 1923 roared through London after £4.2m refit

The Flying Scotsman left an incredible trail of steam outside Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium as it roared past the north London football ground

Trainspotters forced one of the world's most famous locomotives to come to a 'shuddering stop' 50 miles into its inaugural run after a £4.2million refit.

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The Flying Scotsman is running more than 20 minutes behind schedule on its triumphant return to the tracks after the engineering marvel came to a standstill in Cambridgeshire - because photographers took to the tracks to take pictures.

Following the disruption, Network Rail has pleaded to spectators to stay safe while watching the iconic train's five-hour journey from London to York. 

Photographers watched the majestic train depart from King's Cross in London, but another group in Cambridgeshire forced it to come to a halt

Described by Michael Portillo as an 'engineering triumph', the legendary locomotive is making its first official journey after a £4.2million refit


Trainspotters were covered in steam at King's Cross station as the steam engine, taking 297 passengers to York, departed from the capital

Passengers described a 'shuddering stop' near St Neots, while footage filmed from the stationary train showed people walking down the tracks holding cameras.

A Network Rail spokesman said: 'The number of people beside the track is already giving us safety concerns and means we are having to slow trains down.

'Trespassing on the railway is illegal and incredibly dangerous. Please help us to make today a success and stay off the railway.'


The engineering marvel, pictured travelling over the Digswell Viaduct near Welwyn Garden City, has been restored over the last ten years

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Spectacular trails of steam have been left in the wake of the famous locomotive, including outside the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC, as it travelled north from London.

Thousands of people gathered on platform one at London's King's Cross to watch the historic steam locomotive - whose passengers have paid as much as £450 for a ticket - depart ahead of the five hour journey.

In total, 297 passengers are on board for the journey, including VIPs, fundraisers, competition winners and ticket-buying members of the public. 

 

Passengers include VIPs, fundraisers, competition-winners and members of the public - some of whom paid as much as £450 for a ticket

Crew members work in the engine room as the historic train, built in 1923, prepared to depart King's Cross station at the start of the trip


The iconic train has been painted in its original livery of British rail green to mark the completion of the decade-long refit

Excited onlookers took advantage of the rare opportunity to photograph the locomotive while it was stationed on platform one at King's Cross

The crew work inside the engine room of the famous train, which was expected to travel to York in five hours before the delays

The National Railway Museum bought the Flying Scotsman for £2.3million in 2004 and have spent a decade restoring it to former glories

The historic train, pictured passing through Kilburn as it arrived in London ahead of the inaugural trip, broke the 100mph barrier back in 1934

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Crew members were on hand to ensure the locomotive - known by its former crew as 60103 - safely departed as thousands of people looked on

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