RAILWAY enthusiasts, senior transport bosses, heritage line volunteers and other members of the public turned out in force to see one of the world's most famous steam engines arrive in Keighley this morning.

The Flying Scotsman locomotive, which had set off from Oxenhope, arrived at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's (K&WVR) Keighley station to be greeted by crowds on both platforms.

The steam engine, pulling 11 fully booked passenger carriages, is travelling along the newly re-opened Settle to Carlisle Railway today.

This line was shut to trains in February 2016 at Eden Brows, near Armathwaite, after Network Rail detected the ground slipping beneath the railway towards the River Eden 70 metres below.

A 100-metre section of track subsided 1.5 metres, meaning buses have had to replace Northern Train services along the stretch of line until the railway was made safe and repaired.

Among those waiting in Keighley this morning for the chance to ride on this train was Government Railway Minister MP Paul Maynard.

He said: "It's very good to see this locomotive in Keighley, this doesn't happen very often so it's an exciting day.

"The re-opening of the Settle to Carlise line is critical in my view, as it's a highly symbolic line and a vital artery. It's £23 million well spent.

“This is an excellent example of the Government’s vision for the future of our busy rail network – one that is run by an integrated team of people with a commitment to improving services for the benefit of passengers.

"Network Rail, contractors and train operators have together worked hard to get this historic line running again.

"Our railways are crucial to our economic future and whether it’s improving services or completing essential repairs, the commitment is the same."

Chairman of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Matt Stroh said: "The interest this locomotive generates is fantastic, it's difficult to comprehend just how much interest there is.

"It came to Keighley some years ago, but it was not pulling any passengers on that occasion.

"It has been a privilege for the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway to have been involved in the re-opening of the Settle Carlisle line.

"Praise must be given for all the hard work undertaken to re-open the line."

Paul Kirkman, director of the National Railway Museum, which has loaned the Flying Scotsman to the K&WVR for nine days, said the steam engine was back in action following a meticulous restoration programme which had taken about ten years.

"We want to get it out there again and get the public seeing what is a great icon of British engineering," he added.

"And there can't be a more fitting place for it to go than on the Settle to Carlisle line.

"Every nut and bolt of the locomotive has been restored, so it's probably in a better condition now than at any other time in its working life.

"It has been operational again since February of last year, and has been running like clockwork."

*Full story with picture special in next Thursday's Keighley News