MEMORIES of a bygone era were evoked when one of the country's favourite steam engines thundered through the region.

The Union of South Africa - the sister of the world's fastest steam engine, the Mallard - attracted rail enthusiasts to platforms across the North.

On Saturday, the engine travelled from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, to Morpeth, Northumberland, and back.

On the outgoing journey it stopped at York, Durham, and Newcastle, and passed through Thirsk, Northallerton, and Darlington.

The Union carried more than 400 passengers on a trip organised by The Railway Touring Company.

In Darlington, enthusiasts gathered to see - and hear - the engine steam through the station at 11.55am.

"It's just a beautiful engine," said Harry Ward, from Middlesbrough. "There's not a great deal of steam about on main lines nowadays, so it's always worth a trip out to see it."

"It's the smell, the sight, the sounds of the whistles - it takes you back to a different age," said Malcolm Barnes, who was visiting from Wigan.

"The modern locomotives don't quite have the same romance, shall we say."

The Union of South Africa was designed by renowned engineer Sir Nigel Gresley, and built for London and North Eastern Railway, in Doncaster, in 1937.

It ran the London King's Cross to Edinburgh route until it was withdrawn by British Railways in 1964. It now travels the country hauling mainline steam specials.

"There's something truly special about travelling by steam-pulled train," said Nigel Dobbing, of The Railway Touring Company.

"Whether it's the amazing power and superb engineering of these truly remarkable locomotives, or the pleasure of enjoying the countryside without battling congested roads, steam rail journeys seem to excite young and old."

The Union of South Africa will be a common sight through Yorkshire this summer. It will be one of three locomotives - along with the Duchess of Sutherland and the Duke of Gloucester - that will haul the Scarborough Spa Express.

The Express will run from Knaresborough, through Harrogate, Leeds, and York, to Scarborough on various dates in July and August.