STEAM enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to take a rail tour around the North-East this weekend.

The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG) is running a locomotive out of Middlesbrough this Sunday on the first leg of a journey to Scotland, where it will spend the summer on the Fort William to Mallaig railway.

The K1 class locomotive was built in 1949 and worked most of its life in the North-East. NELPG acquired it about 20 years ago and it has been restored twice.

It will be diesel hauled from Newcastle at 9am on Sunday, picking up at Durham at 9.20am, and Darlington at 9.45am. The K1 will haul a train under steam from Middlesbrough at 10.45am.

NELPG's Fred Ramshaw said: "It will go on a very little-used passenger line which is mostly used for goods.

"From Middlesbrough, it goes to Stockton, Redmarshall, and up through Sedgefield station to Ferryhill, a very rarely used line and a unique opportunity."

The train will then go up the East Coast Mainline to Low Fell, through the Tyne Valley to Carlisle, where there will be a one-hour stop, before moving to Shap and Carnforth.

The return will be diesel hauled from Carnforth via Skipton, Leeds and York, setting down at Darlington at 8pm, Durham at 8.25pm and Newcastle at 8.45pm. All times are provisional.

There is a flat rate of £39 per person for anyone interested in making the trip and there will be a buffet service on board.

Passengers can pay on the train, or book in advance by contacting Dave Martin on (01609) 774971 or Peter Robinson on 0191-257 0980.

Any profits from the trip will go towards the overhaul and upkeep of the group's locomotives.