MORE than 5,500 people travelled on services hauled by a steam locomotive on the famous Settle and Carlisle line over a three-day period last week, it has been revealed.

Northern Rail said it was delighted by the public's reaction to the first timetabled steam service in England for almost 50 years, hauled by Peppercorn class A1 locomotive Tornado.

Steam train enthusiasts flocked to see history in the making as Tornado ran from Appleby to Skipton.

The engine brought back the romance of steam with its first journey on Valentine’s Day, as part of scheduled runs over three days.

Rail enthusiasts snapped up the reserved seats on trains, and on Tuesday long queues formed at Skipton to buy the unreserved seats.

The initiative, organised by Northern Rail, Network Rail and the Friends of Settle and Carlisle, saw the locomotive, completed in 2008 at a cost of more then £3 million, run two return journeys each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between Appleby and Skipton.

Steam fans Nigel and Marian Hart, of Skipton, were among those eagerly anticipating the arrival of the loco’s plume of smoke at the station.

Mr Hart, who works as a gardener in Settle, said: “This is a fantastic day for all of us who love the days of steam and to see this marvellous locomotive in Skipton is just fantastic.

“It’s wonderful that the Tornado was built from scratch and now it’s taking passengers on one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world. We are absolutely thrilled.”

Thrilled also were fellow enthusiasts Graham Harpham, of Denholme, and Tom Kemp, of Barnoldswick, both on Platform 2 with cameras at the ready to record the big moment.

Mr Harpham said: “This is a really historic day and it’s great that there are so many fans of steam here to see it. Everyone who has worked to make this happen is to be commended - they have done a superb job.”

The initiative is part of celebrations to mark the re-opening of the line between Appleby and Carlisle, which was closed a year ago following a massive landslip on to the line at Eden Brows, on March 31.

Engineers have carried out an estimated £23 million worth of repair work and other improvements to get it open again.

Northern Rail regional director Paul Barnfield, who said the demand for tickets had been "phenomenal."

He said: "Obviously we are absolutely delighted that this is proving such a great success, not least because a lot of people from all the organisations involved have worked very hard to make it happen, and it’s been a very positive collaboration all round. We hope to take this into the future.”