BRITAIN’S most iconic locomotive took to the West Somerset Railway track for the first time on Wednesday night for a non-publicised trial run before a sell-out week of service starts next Tuesday.

The 94-year-old Flying Scotsman had arrived at Bishops Lydeard earlier in the day under its own steam and later made a proving run to Minehead to check that everything will run smoothly for the 5,000 passengers booked to ride behind the historic engine.

Now in its original green livery, the locomotive,the first to officially break the 100-mph barrier, and now owned by the National Railway Museum in York, returned to the main-line rails last year after a £4.5 million restoration.

The legendary LNER class A3 Pacific engine will remain in the WSR engine sheds until it is officially welcomed on to the line at a civic reception next Tuesday but already “Scotsman fever” has gripped the area.

All tickets to ride on the Scotsman-hauled ‘WSR Express’ have long been sold and landowners charging up to £5 a car for parking near the line report being overwhelmed by the demand.

Services will be non-stop between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and enthusiasts will be charged £2 each at intermediate stations to watch the train go by.

The two termini will only be open to travelling passengers.

Thousands of onlookers are expected at key vantage points and a WSR spokesman said: “We will do our best to avoid issues on the highways and direct people to suitable spots.

“We have been very fortunate that some local landowners have opened their fields for car parking and have even offered camping spaces.”

Frank Courtney, chairman of the Flying Scotsman organisation committee, added: “We are very grateful to local landowners to help alleviate the pressure on the highways.

“Anyone wishing to photograph the Flying Scotsman or view the locomotive without a ticket is advised to visit one of these car parks to do so.”

The train will run from Tuesday, September 5 to Tuesday, September 12, (except for September 8) twice a day with a full load of pre-booked passengers.

There will also be evening runs from Bishops Lydeard to Blue Anchor on September 6, 9, 10 and 11.

Another non-stop train will be operating on the line with the Flying Scotsman and passengers will transfer onto this at Minehead on each trip.

The alternative train will be hauled by a pool of crack locomotives including the West Country class Braunton – renamed Lord Dowding – and former GWR engines Raveningham Hall, Dinmore Manor and Foxcote Manor.

During the Flying Scotsman’s visit the railway will also maintain a full service of stopping trains.