HISTORY was made in the region at the weekend when world’s most famous steam engine joined forces with its successor for the first time.

Visitors to Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham, witnessed the historic moment the Flying Scotsman, an A3 engine, formed a double-headed train with the Union of South Africa, an A4.

They were even able to ride behind the two famous locomotives – an opportunity many rail fans took up several times.

Not only was this the first time the Flying Scotsman has teamed up with an A4, but it was also the first time in more than half a century that these two classes of locomotives, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, have been seen together in this way.

The spectacle was the climax of the Shildon Shed Bash, a celebration inspired by the shed bashes of the 1950s and 1960s when railway sheds were opened up to the public.

The Flying Scotsman was the star attraction, with more than 40,000 people of all ages flocking to the museum between July 23 and yesterday (Sunday) to see the locomotive.

For William Webb, from Prudhoe, near Newcastle, it was a chance to relive his childhood.

“I came especially to see the Flying Scotsman and I wasn't disappointed,” he said. “I grew up with these engines flying up and down the railway lines.”

Emma Wilson, from South Shields, attended with her sons, Aidan, 11, and Evan, eight, and her mother, Theresa Rose.

She said: “My son Aidan absolutely loves anything to do with trains. He is riding it now for the second time. We saw the Flying Scotsman in Newcastle’s Central Station and it was just beautiful so we were really keen to come today. We’ve had a fantastic time.”

Gary Campbell, manager of Locomotion, said: “We are so pleased with the way the shed bash has gone. It’s been a wonderful event that has attracted tens of thousands of people, and it's so nice to look around and see so many smiling faces.

“The feedback we've received has been so positive, both verbally and through social media and emails. We couldn’t be happier.”

The National Railway Museum bought the Flying Scotsman for £2.3m in 2004 on behalf of the nation. This was supported by a £1.8million grant for the National Heritage Memorial Fund and public donations.

Since then, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the locomotive been fully restored and wowing crowds across the country.