THE world’s most famous steam locomotive - Flying Scotsman - will come to Monmouthshire next week and could even come through the Forest.

The engine will be hauling the Cambrian Coast Express from Crewe to London Paddington along the border on the return leg of a tour to north Wales on Wednesday (June 8).

According to the website of Steam Dreams, the company running the tour, the train will cross back into England either through the Severn Tunnel or along the Severn Estuary.

The National Railway Museum, which bought the iconic locomotive for the nation in 2004 and carried out the £4.2 million overhaul says that, on safety grounds, it will not be publishing timings or recommended viewing points.

The opportunity of a rare sighting of the 93-year-old record-breaking locomotive is expected to draw large crowds along the route.

Fans are being urged to keep off the tracks after the inaugural run earlier this year of the restored locomotive was marred by dangerous trespassing on the line.

Photographs shared online show crowds of people, including young children, stood in the path of oncoming trains with their view obscured by plumes of steam and smoke from the engine.

All trains on the East Coast Main Line had to be stopped as a result, causing a combined total of more than eight hours of delays, costing the taxpayer almost £60,000 in compensation which was paid to delayed passengers.

Phil Hufton, Network Rail’s managing director, England and Wales, said: “While the turnout to see Flying Scotsman so far has shown the passion and support for steam engines, and indeed the railway itself, the images of people stood on the railway taking photographs were deeply concerning and a breach of our safe operations.

“I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to go onto the railway without any formal training and without permission, as well as being illegal."

“Trespassing on the tracks to view the service is not only extremely dangerous and can result in the train’s journey being delayed, but it is an offence for which the offender risks being brought before the courts, a fine of £1,000 and a criminal record.

"Where people are found to be trespassing, we will take proportionate and necessary action against them.”

Jim Lowe, Head of Operations at the National Railway Museum said: “It is vital that spectators do not venture onto the railway, particularly when it is on the mainline as a full timetable of regular services will be running.

"In order to avoid overcrowding and incidents of trespass neither ourselves nor our partners will be publishing recommended viewing points or the timetable of when the train will be passing through specific locations – this includes positioning moves.