Duke of Gloucester locomotive in Shropshire - in pictures

Steam fans lined Shropshire's tracks to see a famous locomotive pass through the county at the weekend. The 71000 Duke of Gloucester passed through stations in Prees, near Whitchurch and Shrewsbury on Saturday.

The county visit was part of a return trip to the capital. More than 400 passengers jumped on board at London Euston on Saturday morning and arrived back there one minute early later that evening.

The journey has been hailed as a success by train operators who said feedback from passengers had been "positive".

Pictures and videos of the locomotive's journey have already been posted on the internet, including YouTube.

Phil Bicknell, of UK Railtours, said today: "It was a very successful trip and it arrived in London Euston about one minute early.

"There were about 430 passengers on the train and the feedback from them was very positive and they said they really enjoyed it."

The 71000 was withdrawn in 1962 after only eight years in service.

But the Duke of Gloucester Steam Locomotive Trust eventually acquired the badly decayed remains and restoration began in 1975.

The trust took the opportunity to make many improvements, including the fitting of the correct exhaust system.