VISITORS flocked to the Dales to catch the iconic sight of the Flying Scotsman thundering over the Ribblehead viaduct to celebrate the Settle to Carlisle line reopening.

The line, which was severed in Cumbria in February 2016 after a landslide, fully reopened on Friday thanks to a £23million repair project by Network Rail.

To celebrate the occasion, the ever-popular Flying Scotsman took to the tracks to enable lucky passengers to experience the journey with all the authenticity of a classic steam locomotive.

Although the Scotsman was the big crowd-puller, the first passenger train to travel the newly-reopened line - the 5.50am Northern service from Carlisle - was also brimming with passengers.

Anne Ridley, operations manager for the Settle to Carlisle railway development company, said: “There were lots of people on there who were celebrating the event and that was good to see, that people were looking forward to travelling on the daily passenger service.

“The Scotsman has brought in thousands of people to the area, the real enthusiasts who are born and bred that way, and others have just been local people come to see the spectacle.

“The station (Appleby) has been very busy and there have been lots of people in the local area climbing up hills to get the best photographs - it has been a really good day and there has been a real buzz in the station.”

The Scotsman stopped at Appleby to take in water and was greeted by a kilted bagpiper, while the The Friends of the Settle to Carlisle line organised a celebratory event at Armathwaite station with a jazz band, vintage car display, refreshments and stalls.

Mark Rand, of the Friends group, was on both the first Northern train and the Flying Scotsman and said the day had been a memorable occasion.

He said that a particularly moving moment was waving to Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ of engineers who had gathered to watch their hard work come to fruition as the train sped past.

Mr Rand added: “The Flying Scotsman has got enormous appeal and I think it has helped put us back on the map.

“Hopefully we shall recover our passenger situation, particularly with passengers from Scotland and increase the tourist trade throughout the summer.”

Martin Frobisher, of Network Rail, said: “I am beyond thrilled that customers and goods are moving again on this vital economic artery through Britain’s most beautiful landscape.

“Our orange army has ensured that even if the ground gives way again in future, the railway will not.”