A 98-YEAR-OLD VIP made two "flying" visits to the region and had its army of fans out in force to see it.

Arguably the world’s most famous steam locomotive, the Flying Scotsman traversed County Durham once and North Yorkshire twice. Last Thursday en-route to Edinburgh the steam icon passed through Thirsk, Northallerton and Darlington, spending the weekend hauling excursions around the Scots capital. Fans who spend some time waiting to see the locomotive met with mixed success. One enthusiast from the North-East merely got a picture of a cloud of steam when the weather conspired to spoil her efforts.

Returning on Sunday afternoon via the Settle Carlisle line, the locomotive’s fans were once again out in force to get that elusive picture. The more seasonal conditions ensured that most met with success.

Built in 1923 in Doncaster, the Flying Scotsman, numbered 4472 and later BR 60103, was named after the daily 10am London to Edinburgh rail service which had been running since 1862. The journey was eventually reduced to just eight hours.

It was the first to officially reach 100mph, has circumnavigated the globe, visiting the USA and Australia and setting the record for the longest non-stop journey of 422 miles.

After some ownership troubles in the past Flying Scotsman’s future is now secure thanks to a successful campaign spearheaded by the National Railway Museum. Coupled with a £1.8m grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and the generosity of the public, its status as a national treasure is secure and it can now continue as the oldest working main line locomotive.

The weekend also saw a visit from a similar elderly steam locomotive, Princess Elizabeth. Although ten years younger than Flying Scotsman, the loco is still working for a living. She made the journey from Coventry along the Settle Carlisle line on Saturday.

Although most enthusiasts are well-behaved, incidences captured by on board cameras show many risking life and limb to take photographs at the side of the track. Latest figures show over the past two months, 179 incidents have caused trains to be delayed.

Police inspector Andy Jackson said: “Seeing the Flying Scotsman and other steam trains can be an exciting event for many people and we want everyone to be able to have a great day out.

“Our priority is the safety of everyone viewing and travelling on the train, and our officers will be along the route and at stations to ensure everyone can enjoy the event without putting themselves or others in danger.”

Trespass on the railway is a criminal offence with up to a £1,000 fine. Train obstruction is punishable by up to two years in prison.