THE Flying Scotsman steamed away on Wednesday after a week of service on the West Somerset Railway, hailed as the biggest and most successful event in the 40 years since it became a heritage line.

“It’s been a fantastic week for the railway - a sellout 10,700 passengers, many of whom had never been to West Somerset before,” said WSR general manager Paul Conibeare.

As a qualified driver, he was on the footplate when the iconic 94-year-old locomotive left Bishops Lydeard for the last time for the main line at Taunton station en route for London.

Rail buffs gave the engine a rousing send-off and thousands had lined the 22-mile track during the week, often in wind and rain, to watch the trains go by.

“It has been a wonderful experience for all of us,” Paul said. “All the staff have worked far beyond the call of duty to make a success of this really massive event, and emails of appreciation have poured in.

“After seven days of Flying Scotsman fever we are all tired but smiling. To be honest, a week of working at that pressure was enough!”