Pictures and video: Flying Scotsman steams into Shropshire

But the visit was something of a best kept secret, for fears crowds will spill onto the line.

A timetable for the journey from Crewe to Paddington was given out strictly on a need to know basis to those booking tickets.

That is because previous trips of the engine in other parts of the UK have been cancelled for safety reasons because of over enthusiasm from train spotters.

Today the Flying Scotsman was passing through Prees, Wem and Shrewsbury with a short stop at Craven Arms.

The Flying Scotsman in Shropshire:

Chief Inspector David Oram from the British Transport Police said: "We understand people are excited about seeing the Flying Scotsman's return and want them to have a great day out.

"Our priority is the safety of the public and passengers viewing and travelling on the train.

"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."

Police want to identify a number of rail enthusiasts pictured trespassing on the tracks to catch a glimpse of Flying Scotsman following a decade-long refit.

Images taken from a helicopter operated by Network Rail (NR) show a number of people standing close to rail lines to watch the famous locomotive travelling between Newcastle and York.

The photographs, taken on May 14, show that repeated warnings about the dangers of getting too close to the railway are being ignored by some people.

Flying Scotsman's inaugural run on February 2 was marred by trespassers who walked along the tracks taking photographs as other trains passed on opposing lines.

All trains on the East Coast Main Line were temporarily stopped and taxpayer-funded NR was forced to pay out almost £60,000 in compensation.

Some 59 train services were delayed for a combined total of more than eight hours.