Always wanted to see the Flying Scotsman in all its glory? Tough, say killjoy officials, we're keeping its schedule secret because it's too popular

Rail enthusiasts have been left angry ahead of the Flying Scotsman starting its tour of England and Scotland today after the National Railway Museum decided to keep its schedule secret.

Officials at the museum in York are not publishing the timings of the famous locomotive’s tour in a bid to reduce the chance of people disrupting mainline services.

It comes after February's inaugural run following a decade-long refit was marred by trespassers, which saw all East Coast Main Line trains temporarily stopped - causing eight hours of delays.

Watching it go: The Flying Scotsman passes through Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire, in between St Neots and Huntingdon, close to where it was halted by trespassers in February

Public interest: The Flying Scotsman passes through Colton Junction near York on its inaugural run from London in February - marred by trespassers as all East Coast Main Line trains were temporarily stopped

Network Rail paid £60,000 in compensation when 59 services were delayed by people encroaching on the track to get as close as possible to the Scotsman as it travelled from London to York.

But the decision to keep the timings secret has angered a number of members of the public who were keen to catch a glimpse of Flying Scotsman.

Andrew Burnie said on Facebook: ‘Really sad that the timings for these runs seem to have been hidden. Was looking forwards to seeing the Scotsman in Edinburgh this weekend.

‘But because of the idiots who took to the tracks I now can't find the times it will be departing from and arriving to Waverley as they have been taken down to avoid a repeat.’

Peter Chalmers wrote: ‘How can we go and see her safely, as I planned, when times aren't being released? Diabolical, never known anything like it. Her only trip to Scotland and we are being conned.’ 

On a journey: The Flying Scotsman leaves London King's Cross station on its way to York on February 25

Viewing: Members of the public take photographs as the Flying Scotsman leaves King's Cross in February

Famous: Built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1923, Flying Scotsman soon became the star locomotive of the British railway system, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934

Facebook comments: The decision to keep the timings secret has angered a number of members of the public who were keen to catch a glimpse of Flying Scotsman

Meanwhile Ian Dent had a suggestion for those who want to know the timings, saying: 'Find an engine driver, butter him up and plead with him to look in his special workings notices.

‘But it would be a lot less trouble if the idiots, and I make no apology for using that word for that is what they are, stayed the right side of the fences and off the railway altogether.’

But Dan Louch said: ‘If there weren't so many idiots that decided to trespass last time, Network Rail and the BTP [British Transport Police] wouldn't need to take these safety precautions.’

Jim Lowe, the NRM’S head of operations, 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. 

Spectacular: The Flying Scotsman travels toward Heywood, Lancashire, on a viaduct over the River Roch

‘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.’

And National Rail managing director Phil Hufton called on enthusiasts making plans to see Flying Scotsman as it visits various parts of England and Scotland over the next few months to stay safe.

He said: ‘While the turnout to see Flying Scotsman so far has shown the passion and support for steam engines, and indeed the railway itself, the images of people stood on the railway taking photographs were deeply concerning and a breach of our safe operations.

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

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

Built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire in 1923, the Flying Scotsman became the star locomotive of Britain's railway network, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.

The NRM bought the locomotive for £2.3million in 2004 before work began on its restoration in 2006. The Flying Scotsman was painted in its original livery of British Rail green and had its nameplates have been reattached.

The rebuild took much longer than anticipated and cost far more than the original expectation of £1.5million because many more repairs were found to be required than expected. 

Chief Inspector David Oram from 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.'

He added: ‘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.’