Fans of the famous Flying Scotsman are being urged to keep off the tracks and enjoy a safe day out as the recently renovated locomotive travels from London Paddington to Salisbury.

This weekend (May 21), it will make the return journey as part of its UK tour.

Flying Scotsman returned to the electrified East Coast Main Line after a 10-year, £4.2million refurbishment by the National Railway Museum in February with an inaugural journey from London King’s Cross to York which was greeted by thousands of people lining the route.

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However, the day was marred in parts by several dangerous incidents of trespass, where people were seen walking along the tracks and taking photographs of the locomotive while other trains continued to pass on opposing lines.

Photographs showed crowds of people, including young children, stood in the path of oncoming trains with their view obscured by plumes of steam and smoke from the engine.

In preparation for these trips, Network Rail, the British Transport Police and other industry partners warned of the risks of straying onto tracks, particularly because of electrocution.

'Do not risk your lives'

BTP said the conductor rail is located to the side of the railway tracks and cannot be switched off due to the large number of other trains using the network should there be an incident.

Chief inspector David Oram from the British Transport Police said: “The railway is a hazardous environment and we would urge people to use safe vantage points to view and take pictures of the train, stay clear of the line and not be tempted to risk their lives and the lives of others by trespassing on the tracks.

“Trespassing on the tracks to view the service is not only extremely dangerous and can result in the train’s journey being delayed, but it is an offence for which the offender risks being brought before the courts, a fine of £1,000 and a criminal record.

"Where people are found to be trespassing, we will take proportionate and necessary action against them.”

The Flying Scotsman has caused an excitement for train spotters and history lovers alike

£60,000 had to be paid out in compensation following delays during last Flying Scotsman journey

All trains on the East Coast Main Line had to be stopped, causing a chaos of over eight hours of delays to 59 train services.

According to rail chiefs, the severe disruptions cost taxpayer-funded Network Rail almost £60,000 in compensation to train operators.

Mark Langman, Network Rail’s managing director for the Western route, said: "I’m sure the enthusiasm and passion that has been shown elsewhere in the country for this historic train will be replicated when it travels along Brunel’s railway.

"While it’s great to see this support for steam engines, and the railway itself, the images of people stood on the railway taking photographs were deeply concerning.

"As well as being illegal, I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to go onto the railway without any formal training and without permission."

He added: "I am urging those who plan to enjoy seeing Flying Scotsman in the coming days to do so from a safe position and to not go onto the railway under any circumstances.

"I’d like to thank those who have observed safe practices during the Scotsman’s runs so far and ask others to follow that example.”

As part of new policy, Network Rail are no longer releasing times of when the vehicle departs to avoid trespassing incidents.

Jim Lowe, head of operations at the National Railway Museum, who purchased the iconic locomotive for the Nation in 2004 and restored it to steam through a complex overhaul said: “It is vital that spectators do not venture onto the railway, particularly when it is on the mainline as a full timetable of regular services will be running.

"In order to avoid overcrowding and incidents of trespass neither ourselves nor our partners will be publishing recommended viewing points or the timetable of when the train will be passing through specific locations – this includes positioning moves."