Video: Elizabeth’s epic trek from Whitby to London under her own steam

Turning heads along the way, crowds gathered in Whitby to wave off the steam bus, which is heading to the capital to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show.

But while she had no problems making it up the long steep section of Blue Bank, Elizabeth’s journey was almost over before it started when water levels ran low.

Viv Smith, who owns the bus with her husband Vernon, said: “Our support vehicle had trouble getting up Blue Bank so it wasn’t behind us. We stopped at RAF Fylingales and asked us if they could give us some water. A fire engine came to the gates and filled the water tank for us and we were very grateful. But for an old girl of 80, she’s doing brilliantly.”

With a top speed of 50mph, the journey will take around a week to complete, with overnight stops.

Yesterday evening Elizabeth was put to bed at York’s National Railway Museum, where she was due to remain for the night, before setting off for Leeds this morning.

Mr and Mrs Smith and their son 21-year-old Vernon Jnr were invited to the show by prospective Lord Mayor of London Alderman David Wootton, who has Yorkshire roots, after appearing at last year’s event.

Elizabeth now enjoys the status of being the world’s only commercially operated steam bus and is a familiar sight on the streets of Whitby where she plies her trade for tourists.