TRAINSPOTTERS and railways enthusiasts have been warned not to risk their lives trying to photograph the world’s most famous steam locomotive when it comes through Warrington this month.

Flying Scotsman, the first engine to hit 100mph, will haul the luxury Northern Belle train, Britain’s answer to the Orient Express, through the town on its journey from Carnforth to Crewe during the afternoon of Saturday, July 20.

Then it will reverse the route during the evening taking 300 revellers on a slap-up £300 Gala Dinner trip from Manchester back to Carnforth.

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There they can dance on the station platform to the train’s resident band and pucker up under the station clock where Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson stole an illicit kiss in the classic 1940s movie Brief Encounter.

But Northern Belle managing director Jeanette Snape has pleaded with people not to trespass on the tracks or stand too near the edge of station platforms in their eagerness to get photographs.

She said: “We know this will be a big attraction – the world’s most famous engine hauling the ornately-decorated Pullman carriages of one of the world’s most luxurious trains.

“But while we want as many people as possible to see it and get photographs, we also want everybody to stay safe.

“It is extremely dangerous, as well as illegal, to trespass near the railway tracks. At best people could end up in court being fined £1,000 – at worst they could end up in the mortuary.

“So please take care and act sensibly.”

Instead of living up to its name, Flying Scotsman is often forced to crawl along because people ­– including  parents with children – get dangerously close to the track as they try to photograph the famous engine.

And Network Rail, who are responsible for the upkeep of Britain’s railway track, have warned that as “a last resort” the engine could be banned from the mainline if a “few thoughtless lawbreakers” carry on risking their lives.

They hit out after nearly 60 regular services  between Derby and Birmingham were delayed for a total of 1,000 minutes when Flying Scotsman  visited the Midlands in May.

One engine driver said it was “only a matter of time” before somebody got killed.

He added: “Trespassers seem to have the misguided idea where they think that because it’s a heritage train they can stand on the line side (inside the railway boundary fence) to take the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ shot at any cost. Sadly, one day, that cost might be their life.

“I have no doubt that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed in pursuit of photographing Flying Scotsman. 

“I’m not calling for engine to be banned from the mainline and confined to preserved heritage lines and museums, but for people to be sensible and stay the correct side of the railway boundary fence and to keep behind the yellow line on the platform.

“This is for your own safety, the safety of those around you and the sanity of the train driver.”

Chief Inspector Gareth Davies, of British Transport Police, said: “Seeing Flying Scotsman is an exciting event for many people and we want everybody to have a great day out. 

“But our priority is the safety of everybody viewing and travelling on the train. Please remember to use safe vantage points to view and take pictures of the train, stay clear of the line and do not risk serious injury or death by trespassing on the tracks.

“The railway is an extremely  hazardous environment and those caught trespassing or obstructing trains can expect to be prosecuted.”

As well as breaking the 100mph record, Flying Scotsman, built at Doncaster in 1923, was the first steam engine to run non-stop between London and Edinburgh.

The Flying Scotsman hauled Northern Belle will leave Carnforth at 1.35pm and is scheduled to pass through Lancaster at 2.15pm, Preston 2.43pm, Wigan 3.02pm, Warrington 3.15pm, and Winsford at 3.55pm before arriving at Crewe at 4.05pm.

It will later make its way to Manchester Victoria via Stockport before leaving there at 6.05pm, and passing through Wigan at 6.33pm and Blackburn at 7.02pm, arriving in Carnforth at 8.30pm.

Then it is scheduled to depart Carnforth at 8.45pm and pass through Preston at 10.02pm before arriving back in Manchester at 10.52pm.

For further details see nothernbelle.co.uk or phone 01270 899681.