Sir Richard Branson wants the Flying Scotsman to stay in the UK

Sir Richard, who is working with the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York, plans to put in a "substantive" offer.

The locomotive's owner, Flying Scotsman Plc, put it up for sale this year and the bidding process ends on 2 April.

Sir Richard said: "We feel very, very strongly that the train should not be allowed to go overseas."

After what the British public saw happening to Concorde, I don't think they will allow the same to happen to another British icon Sir Richard Branson

The Flying Scotsman was put up for sale after plans to build a visitor centre in Edinburgh to house it fell through.

Following the retirement of Concorde last year, the Virgin boss said he was determined to see the Flying Scotsman stay in use.

He is expected to submit a sealed and conditional bid with the NRM on Monday.

"We will be putting our offer on the table tomorrow and we would hope that it would be substantive enough to stop it going to tender," he said.

Back on track

"Also, we know that there would be enormous pressure by the public to get the Government to stop it going abroad.

"After what the British public saw happening to Concorde, I don't think they will allow the same to happen to another British icon."

The NRM is seen by many as a natural home for the Flying Scotsman, and its appeal to save the historic locomotive has been well supported.

In its first week the appeal attracted more than 1,000 individual donations and more recently local school children have been donating their pocket money to support the campaign.

But Sir Richard stressed that the museum's plan included keeping the locomotive on the track as well as displaying it.

"The plan is to make sure that enough resources are put in place so that in two to three hundred years time people will still be able to marvel at it coming by."