`Flying Scotsman' back bold as brass

A BUSINESSMAN was celebrating a double triumph yesterday with European glory for Manchester United and the restoration of his steam locomotive - the Flying Scotsman.

Dr Tony Marchington, 43, of Oxford, attended the unveiling of his locomotive after a pounds 1m rebuild. The pharmaceuticals entrepreneur saw the 160-ton engine rolled out of a former Great Western Railway shed in Southall, west London, its brass shining after three years of restoration since he bought it for pounds 1.5m in 1996.

The lifelong United fan said: "More than anything, I have a tremendous sense of relief... it is magnificent to see the locomotive all put back together and working."

The locomotive's first run is planned for 4 July, when it starts regular main-line charter services with a pounds 350-a-head trip to York, where it will spend a week at the National Railway Museum.