Flying Scotsman was the first loco to break the 100mph barrier

The �700.000 display is due to open in the Great Hall at the National Railway Museum (NRM) at Easter.

It will include personal stories from people associated with the engine and the East Coast Mainline.

"We aim to explore stories and myths behind the legend that has surrounded the Flying Scotsman for more than 80 years," said Stephen Richards from NRM.

"This is one of the most exciting and challenging exhibitions I have worked on because we are not simply telling the story of an object," he added.

Sold abroad

Yorkshire Forward and the Heritage Lottery Fund are funding the �700,000 exhibition which will also tell the story of Flying Scotsman's journeys to the US and Australia.

NRM acquired the locomotive in 2004 after there was a danger that it could be sold abroad.

Over the summer the public has had a chance to ride behind the engine on trips between York and Scarborough.

These end this week and Flying Scotsman is then due for an overhaul which will keep it off the region's railway tacks until 2007.