The Flying Scotsman

The Flying Scotsman locomotive at Nene Valley Railway

The Brits are train lovers and this is one of the best!

The Flying Scotsman is now thought to be the most famous locomotive in the world. It was 100 years old on Feb 24/23 and as such, there are celebrations planned for the rest of 2023.  It was the first locomotive of the LNER (London North Eastern Railway) and was the most powerful locomotive used by the LNER at that time.  In 1924 it was selected to appear at the British Empire Exhibition in London.  It was named the Flying Scotsman after the daily 10am London to Edinburgh rail service which started in 1862.  It was made famous at this exhibition.  In 1934 the Flying Scotsman went 100 mph which made it the first locomotive in the UK to reach that speed. The colours changed from green to blue during the years but retired with the colour of British Rail Green in 1963.  Its last run was 14 January 1963.  It had a 40th anniversary run in May 1968 and headed to the USA for a tour in 1969.It was stranded in the USA when the owner went broke but was brought back to the UK in 1973 by a new owner.  It got taken to Australia where in 1989 it set a new record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive at 422 miles.  Later it had regular runs in Britain including over the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway and hauling the Orient Express Pullman train.  There were various crises of ownership, the latest being in 2004 after which a campaign was headed by the National Railway Museum to save it. This was accomplished by donations by the general public, a donation by the Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund which enabled restoration.

This year The Flying Scotsman will be travelling all around the UK on differing routes.  There will also be a special exhibit at the National Railway Museum on Leeman Road in York.

March 1 – 25 – Flying Scotsman at East Lancashire Railway

April 1 – 23 – Flying Scotsman on display at the National Railway Museum, York
April 30 – Flying Scotsman excursion at Royal Duchy, from Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton and Taunton to Devon and Cornwall.
May 1 – 24 – Flying Scotsman to spend a month at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on heritage workings
June 7 – Flying Scotsman excursion at Cardiff Express through the Thames Valley and along the river Severn

June 10 – Flying Scotsman excursion in Chesireman, from London to Chester and back again.
June 17 – Flying Scotsman excursion to Portsmouth Flyer, from London to Portsmouth and back.
June 21 – Flying Scotsman excursion to Salisbury Express, from London to Salisbury and back.
June 30 – July 4 – return excursion along the East Coast Main Line between London, York and Edinburgh

June 24 – Flying Scotsman excursion to Great Yarmouth, from London to Yarmouth and back again.
July 9, August 6 and September 10 – The Waverley excursion along the Settle to Carlisle line via York, Leeds, Keighley and Skipton
August 24 - September 3 – Flying Scotsman at Bluebell Railway in East Sussex.
September 10 – Flying Scotsman excursion to Waverley, travelling on the Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the most famous railway routes in Britain

October 14 – The Hadrian excursion along the Settle to Carlisle line via York and Leeds
December 16 – Flying Scotsman to spend two weeks in light steam at Locomotion in Darlington

Go to the National Railway Museum for more information.railwaymuseum.org.uk

What a great year for railway enthusiasts!