CHILDHOOD sweethearts have rekindled memories of romance during the golden age of steam half a century after embarking on their honeymoon aboard the Flying Scotsman.

In March 1955 family members paid a penny each to venture onto the platform at York Railway Station to wave off newly-weds Gladys and Bernard Hewitt.

To their surprise and delight, they discovered their 5pm London-bound train was to be hauled by the famous record-breaking Flying Scotsman.

Fifty years on, the couple - who met as teenagers at York's then Commercial College - have revisited the locomotive for the first time since setting off for their Brighton honeymoon.

Their daughter Lynne arranged the treat after asking York's National Railway Museum if her parents could have their photograph taken with the Flying Scotsman to add to their collection of marital memories.

As a golden anniversary gift, the NRM has also given the couple two first-class tickets for the locomotive during its forthcoming excursions.

Gladys, 70, a former secretary at York Hospital, said: "It was quite a romantic age to travel in, so it's lovely to be able to relive such fond memories and celebrate in style by riding behind the Flying Scotsman again."

Gladys Catterall and Bernard Hewitt married at the Salvation Army Citadel in Gillygate, on Saturday, March 26, 1955 and held a reception at Bettys Tearoom in St Helen's Square before setting off for their honeymoon. Retired accountant and golf enthusiast Bernard, 71, recalled: "Taking a train to London was still quite a novelty in those days, and it was thrilling to see the Flying Scotsman pull up to the platform. We eagerly boarded the train, which took four hours to arrive in London. To have such a renowned engine take us steaming through the countryside towards the big city was an experience I'll never forget. York's station is a different place all together now. You wouldn't imagine what a dingy, grubby place it was with all the smoke coming down on to the platform and plenty of people with brushes trying to keep it clean."

Gladys and Bernard, of Bishopthorpe, who are both Salvation Army members, are also marking their anniversary on Saturday at York's Lady Anne Middleton Hotel.

They will be joined by their bridesmaids Sylvia Winder, Christine Hewitt and Thelma Hall and best man Walter Brammar, as well as their children and grandchildren.

For details about excursions of the locomotive phone 0870 7010 208, log on to www.nrm.org.uk or visit the NRM.

Updated: 10:09 Tuesday, March 22, 2005