The world's most famous steam train is set to pass through the North East this week - but it will move in secret, to protect the safety of the public. 

The Flying Scotsman, which has been charming train enthusiasts since it rocked up on the steam locomotive scene a hundred years ago, is celebrating its centenary this year. 

Though the locomotive is always guaranteed to draw a crowd as it passes through Darlington and Newcastle, this year it has proved to be particularly popular as everyone wants to get in on the centenary action. 

Read more: Darlington: Locomotion No 1 replica to be bicentenary 'star of the show'

And crowds are expected to get even bigger on Thursday (Sept 14)  when it hauls the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle train - which is described as "Britain's most luxurious train."

So officials have decided not to publish the exact route and timings of its journey to Edinburgh through the North East in order to ensure the hoards of trainspotters bound to turn out are kept safe.

A Northern Belle spokesman said: “We appreciate that lots of people will want to see this marvellous spectacle and take photographs.

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“After all, it’s not every day you get the world’s most famous engine pulling Britain’s most luxurious train.

“But safety is of paramount importance and the last thing we want is people putting themselves in danger and jeopardising the safety of others by crowding round railway embankments and level crossings.”

More than 250 people have paid £750 each to travel on the sell-out trip to Scotland – but that does include a champagne brunch on the outward journey followed by a mouth-watering six-course dinner with wine on the way home.

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The spokesman said: “We could have sold out the train three times over, such is the popularity of Flying Scotsman. This really is the trip of a lifetime.”

But all he would reveal about the timings was that the train was scheduled to leave York at 7.20 am before picking up more passengers at Darlington at 8.30 and then Newcastle at 9.10.

The Northern Belle will be back in Darlington, Durham and Newcastle in December for a slap-up Christmas Lunch trip. Fares start at £295 - and tickets can be purchased from the Northern Belle site.