Photo: Andrew Scott, Head of the National Railway Museum spearheaded the institution's bid to save the famous loco for the nation. Photo: David Prudams.

His words were echoed by Virgin empire boss, Sir Richard Branson, who announced his support for the NRM’s bid last week. "It would have been a tragedy to see such an important part of our heritage sold abroad," explained Virgin boss, Sir Richard Branson. "It has been an honour to play a part in saving a truly iconic feat of British engineering for millions of people to enjoy for generations to come by continuing to run Flying Scotsman on the national rail network." Although the NRM has yet to finalise its plans, it will continue to run the locomotive on the mainline as well as heritage railways. However it will also spend some of its time on display at the museum in York. Yorkshire Forward, the local regional development agency has pledged £500,000 towards creating a special exhibition dedicated to the Flying Scotsman. "Flying Scotsman was built in Yorkshire and it is only fitting that the world’s most famous locomotive should find a home in our region at the world’s biggest railway museum," said Terry Hodgkinson, Chairman of Yorkshire Forward. As Andrew Scott explained, the locomotive will also become the centrepiece of the museum’s forthcoming celebration of the bicentenary of steam, which is scheduled to take place from May 29 to June 6. "We look forward to seeing Flying Scotsman take its place as the star attraction at our Railfest celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the train next.