THE National Railway Museum has submitted its bid to save steam legend the Flying Scotsman for the nation.

After a month of frantic fundraising, museum bosses sent in their offer for the famous loco only a day before the deadline.

It will be at least Monday before the museum knows whether its bid has succeeded.

The museum's offer is known to include £425,000 raised through a public appeal and a substantial donation from Virgin billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

If successful, the museum plans to run services with the engine as well as putting it on show at both York and its new attraction at Shildon.

Museum head Andrew Scott said yesterday: "The level of support and the strength of feeling towards this historic locomotive has been absolutely staggering.

"There can be no doubt that without the generous donations and goodwill of the British public, we could not even have hoped to put together a worthwhile bid.

"We remain as optimistic as ever that the National Railway Museum will at last be able to provide a secure future for Flying Scotsman, and that this historic locomotive will take its rightful place at our Railfest celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the train in May."

Published: 02/04/2004