A YEAR ago, the multimillion-pound restoration of one of our most famous locomotives was all out of steam.

The National Railway Museum had already spent £2.89 million on the Flying Scotsman, when an independent engineer said further extensive repairs were needed.

Originally, the entire restoration had been expected to cost only £750,000. Suddenly, the whole project looked in doubt.

Now it is back on track. Damage to the steam cylinders and side main frames is not as bad as feared, and the Scotsman should be running again by summer 2015, the museum says.

Let’s hope it is full steam ahead from here on.