THE iconic Flying Scotsman steam engine will travel through Craven as part of tomorrow's long-awaited reopening of the Settle-Carlisle railway line.

The heritage locomotive will leave Oxenhope Station at 8.30am tomorrow on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and travel via Skipton, Hellifield, Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Ribblehead to Carlisle.

The Flying Scotsman's journey will be part of the official reopening of the line after the 500,000-tonne landslip which closed it at Armathwaite, north of Appleby, over a year ago.

"One of the most famous locomotives in the world on the one of the most famous railway lines in the world is a great way to celebrate the reopening," said Drew Haley, general manager of the Settle-Carlisle Development Company.

"The Flying Scotsman was the last steam train through before the landslip happen, so it's slightly poetic that it's re-visiting its happy stomping ground," added Mark Rand, spokesman for the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.

Mr Haley said: "The Flying Scotsman creates a fantastic level of awareness for us as we look to get people back and bums on seats."

Mr Rand said that re-opening of the line is a "huge relief" after its closure over 15 months ago.

"It's been a long time in coming, but the line will be stronger for it," he said. "It's been difficult because passenger numbers dropped off by 60 to 70 per cent."

Mr Haley added: "The railway is the economic artery for the region and its closure was a big hit for the area.

"It's been a tough year but now there is a lot of optimism as communities will get their rail service back," he said. "The Settle-Carlisle line is a connector. If you live in Skipton, you now have a great way to get to Scotland and do not have to get off at so many stations."

He said between tomorrow and May 20, a Day Ranger ticket between Carlisle and Leeds will cost only £15.

Mr Haley said that Northern Rail will operate seven services a day in either direction between Carlisle and Leeds.

The first passenger train to use the reopened section tomorrow will be the 5.50am service from Carlisle.

Church bells in Settle, Appleby and Lazonby will ring tomorrow as trains pass through the stations, which will all be decked out in bunting to mark the line's reopening.

But the highlight of the day will undoubtedly be the Flying Scotsman, which is back in action following an extensive overhaul. It is being loaned to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR) by the National Railway Museum.

Matt Stroh, K&WVR chairman, said: "We’re very excited and looking forward to being such a key part of the reopening of the Settle to Carlisle celebrations."

In addition to tomorrow's journey from Oxenhope to Carlisle and back, the Flying Scotsman will be on display and in steam between 9am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday at Ingrow West Station.

The steam engine will also haul passenger trains on the K&WVR between Keighley and Oxenhope from Monday to April 9.