STEAM is returning to the birthplace of the railways this year.

The Hadrian Express will call at Darlington's Bank Top station as part of the Giants of Steam summer, organised by the National Railway Museum (NRM), which is sending steam engines running all over the north of England.

The Hadrian Express will run from York to Carlisle, via Darlington and Newcastle, on August 28. It will be hauled by the famous Green Arrow engine, which is celebrating her 70th birthday this year.

Darlington was instrumental in starting passenger railways in 1825, and, appropriately, the cottage of the railway pioneer George Stephenson, at Wylam, will be visible from the Hadrian Express as it steams through the Tyne Valley.

The Express is a one-off - particularly when compared to the Scarborough Spa Express, which is running three days a week all summer - but it may be the first of regular excursions along the East Coast Main Line.

Last year, the NRM used the Flying Scotsman to haul trains around the North-East, but she is out of service until 2008 having a major overhaul.

This enables her sister, Green Arrow, newly returned from an overhaul, to try out new routes.

"Following last year's Ride the Legend with Scotsman, people wanted more choice of destinations," said Camilla Harrison, of the NRM.

"And when Scotsman is back in operation, we want to be able to look at using her on a wider range of trips that haven't been possible because she has been an elderly, ailing lady.

"Fresh out of her overhaul, she should be capable of doing these longer journeys."

GIANTS OF STEAM

Hadrian Express

Route: York-Darlington- Newcastle-Carlisle

Engine: Green Arrow

Date: August 28

Times: York depart 10am, Darlington depart 10.30am; return to Darlington at 7.50pm, and York at 8.20pm.

Tickets: First class £150 return (adult) and £130 for under 16s - to include morning coffee, light lunch and a three course dinner. Standard: £90 (adult) and £65

Scarborough Spa Express

Route: York-Scarborough

Engines: Green Arrow, Sir Lamiel or Lord Nelson

Dates: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from July 18 to August 31 August 2006

Times: Departs York 11am and 7.05pm

Tickets: First class £50 adult return, £40 under 16. Standard: £30 and £20

Dales Discoverer

Route: York-Leeds-Carlisle

Engine: Green Arrow

Dates: September 17 and 24

Times: Departs York 10am and Leeds 10.30am. Returns to Leeds 7pm and York 7.30pm

Tickets: First class return: £90 and £60. Standard: £59 and £49

l For details, call 08704 214 472. To book, call 08704 282 656, visit the National Railway Museum, York, or log on to www.nrm.org.uk