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Monday 3 Jul 2023

Flying Scotsman returns to Scotland’s Railway

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Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The world-famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman has returned to Scotland for a second time this year.

The iconic engine was last north of the border when it visited Edinburgh Waverley to mark its 100^th birthday on February 24.

It departed Edinburgh Waverley at 09:41 this morning (Monday), before crossing the Forth Bridge on its way north to Aberdeen, visiting the city for the first time since 1964.

On this occasion, Flying Scotsman is hauling a round-trip service for The Railway Touring Company carrying hundreds of passengers from London Kings Cross to Aberdeen.

While in Aberdeen, the engine also visited the Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust, using its recently restored turntable to turn around for the return journey to Edinburgh. Visitors to Ferryhill had the chance to witness the almost 100-tonne engine being turned 180 degrees on the spot, all from a safe distance.

As the train departs Edinburgh Waverley to return south, the public are being reminded to stay safe while trying to spot the engine.

Flying Scotsman travels at speed and all other train services are running normally so:

• Never trespass on the railway.
• Always watch from a safe location.
• Always stay behind the yellow line on the platforms.
• Follow instructions from railway staff and Police officers.
• Remain aware of your surroundings and keep back from the platform edge.

Alan Ross, Director of Engineering and Asset Management for Scotland’s Railway, said: “It’s been a pleasure to see Flying Scotsman on Scotland’s Railway doing what it’s done best for a century – hauling passenger trains at speed along the East Coast Main Line.

“The world’s most famous locomotive always draws a crowd and we’re already looking forward to the next visit. A huge thanks and well done to all railway staff involved in the visit, who’ve worked hard to make it a success and keep trains running on time.”

Flying Scotsman’s return to Scotland is one of many journeys taking place throughout the locomotive’s centenary year. A full calendar of excursions and other activities, including an exhibition programme, is available on the National Railway Museum website. For more information, visit https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme. 

The Flying Scotsman centenary programme has been generously supported by Hornby and has been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Officially the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph, 60103 Flying Scotsman was built at Doncaster and completed in 1923. Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built for the LNER, the locomotive was named ‘Flying Scotsman’ in 1923 and continued in regular service until 1963 and then later in preservation. Today, the locomotive is owned by the National Railway Museum in York and is operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd.