IT has already proved to be one of the biggest attractions of the year and 2019 is less than a quarter of the way through.

But for its relatively short stay with the Swanage Railway, the Flying Scotsman was a real crowd puller.

And that was no great surprise.

It is, after all, the people's engine.

Swanage Railway Company director Mick Gould said: “The Flying Scotsman is a working museum.

"It is open to the public and has a magic of its own. It has created a huge atmosphere, a huge amount of excitement.”

Mr Gould said the visit provided a boost to everyone connected with the heritage line.

“The Flying Scotsman is probably the most-famous engine in the world, certainly in the United Kingdom. It has an aura all of its own.

“If you bring the Flying Scotsman to a railway line, especially a branch line, you are bound to get crowds of people willing to buy tickets, and a heritage railway like the Swanage Railway needs revenue – it can’t run on love unfortunately.

“To run steam locomotives is expensive.

“It is a huge boost for the volunteers here as well, especially the drivers who can sit in the cab. It is a huge morale boost. A lot of planning goes into an event like this.

“We were told just before Christmas that we had won the bid to have The Flying Scotsman on the railway.

“It has taken a lot of effort from a lot of staff to put the show on the road.”

In 1934 the Nigel Greasley-designed Flying Scotsman became the first steam locomotive to break the 100mph limit while hauling a train.

She ran between Kings Cross a nd Edinburgh in roughly eight and a half hours.

Purchased by the National Railway Museum in 2004, she was restored thanks to a £4.2 million ten-year project.

The locomotive remained on display at Corfe Castle until April 10.

Echoes talked to engineer Jack Johnson of Riley and Sons, the firm that completed the latest and biggest overhaul of the locomotive.

Jack, 21, and his colleague Alex, 19, stayed to 'look after' the engine for the duration of its visit to Dorset.

"For people of our age who never grew up with steam, it is quite a privilege really," said Jack.

"She retired in 1963 and that is when the madness began. Since then, nearly 60 years ago, she has become more and more famous."

Although she is based in York, the Flying Scotsman goes around the country as much as possible.

"We like to take her to the public and show that she is the engine, is part of their heritage."

Jack says that today, the locomotive is probably in the best condition she has ever been.

But it is not all plain sailing with the world's most famous engine.

"They all have their own personality," adds Jack.

"It's like having a 150-tonne toddler. Sometimes they do exactly what you want them to and sometimes they don't. Sometimes you swear at them and then you have to come back a few minutes later and say sorry. I feel so privileged to be working with Flying Scotsman. It is such an amazing experience."