Passengers can board the locomotive until 31 August

The legendary locomotive was given a send-off by TV presenter Richard Whiteley who blew the whistle for its journey from York to Scarborough.

The engine was kept in the UK after a public appeal raised �365,000, matched by a donation from Sir Richard Branson.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund also stepped in with a grant of �1.8m.

'Special summer'

The public will be able to ride on the Flying Scotsman in a series of "summer specials" on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 31 August.

National Railway Museum head Andrew Scott said: "This will be a very special summer for everyone who helped to save the locomotive for the nation.

"The summer steam specials provide the first opportunity for Flying Scotsman supporters, fans and people from all over the UK and overseas to ride behind the museum's newest attraction."

Tickets sales for the remainder of the journeys were well on track with around half already sold, he added.

There will be two return trains per day from York, giving passengers three journey options: a lunchtime excursion, an evening sundowner special, and a full day excursion.