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Organisers of the free event said the public will be able to step on to the 97-tonne engine's footplate.

"We pay £200 per tonne of coal now. In normal circumstances our engines use three to four tonnes a day, even with footplate crews being economical."

There was also a thought to bring the strut — the part that runs up the back of his calf and connects to the footplate — closer to his leg.

Couple after couple perch together, heels of their feet barely balancing on the footplate.

The researchers discovered writing on the footplate that was not visible to the naked eye.