CROWDS are gathering to see the world’s most famous locomotive at a North-East railway museum.

Hundreds of visitors have arrived at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, for the opening of the eight-day Flying Scotsman & Shildon Shed Bash.

Many keen fans were on site well ahead of the event’s 9.30am opening time to catch a glimpse of the iconic locomotive in steam.

Steam locomotive and Flying Scotsman enthusiast Keith Cresswell, from Hetton-le-Hole, in County Durham, was among the passengers on board the first ride of the day.

Mr Cresswell, whose love of steam stems from his childhood growing up next to the railway at Fencehouses, said: “It is fantastic to see the Flying Scotsman back in the North-East.

“I went to the museum in York to see it and I had a ride when it was at the North York Moors too.

“It is surprising how many people turn out to watch it.”

He plans to return to the museum later this week with friends, who are visiting the region especially to see the locomotive.

There is a wide variety of activities for families at the museum and special events going on throughout Shildon town centre to mark the occasion.

Shuttle buses are operating from Hardwick Park, in Sedgefield, and Bishop Auckland College, for £3 per person.

For information, visit nrm.org.uk/shildon.