The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Trespasser fears could spoil Flying visit to Fife
Iconic locomotive’s visit details kept secret
Enthusiasts are going loco after being kept in the dark about the Flying Scotsman’s visit to Fife this weekend.
Organisers of tomorrow’s trip to the kingdom have been forced to withhold the schedule for the visit 12 months after thousands lined the Fife Circle line to watch the iconic engine power through the region.
However, the runaway actions of several train buffs has forced operators to keep this weekend’s return trip under wraps, for fear it could be derailed by trespassers on the tracks.
Eight people were caught by police last May as they attempted to get close to the engine.
Jim Danton, chairman of the Fife Railway Preservation Group, said thousands of interested members of the public could miss out as a consequence.
Speaking of last year’s events, he said: “I’ve not got a clue why they do it. If it is anything like last time then there will be police everywhere and a helicopter as well.”
The world-famous locomotive will be running a special rail tour – The Cathedrals Express – when it visits the region on Sunday.
British Transport Police chief inspector Sue Maxwell said: “It is extremely dangerous and an offence to trespass on the railway... there are lots of safe places to see it and take photographs.”