VISITORS travelling to The Great Goodbye event are being urged to plan their journeys as large crowds are expected.

Staff at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon are finalising the display which starts on Saturday. (February 15)

They are expecting a large number of rail enthusiasts to descend on the town for the display marking the 75th anniversary of Mallard becoming the world’s fastest steam engine.

A museum spokesman said: “Motorists are being warned of possible congestion and are being urged to plan for a longer than usual journey or to take an alternative route.

“The museum would also ask that visitors explore the option of travelling to the museum by train.”

There are car and coach parks at the museum and additional parking will be on offer at the site formerly known as Ashfield’s Yard, which can be accessed off Dale Road.

A coach pick-up and drop-off point is available on the Dabble Duck Industrial Estate too.

For more information about the event visit nrm.org.uk/mallard75