We go behind the scenes in the final part of our Flying Scotsman series to discover what it takes to maintain and operate the world's most famous steam locomotive during its visit to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in May 2023.
Above: Flying Scotsman moves off shed at Haworth with its cylinder drain cocks open at the start of the day.
HOW DO YOU prepare and maintain the world's most famous steam locomotive, and what is it like to be entrusted with the care for a multi-million pound steam locomotive? In this fourth part of our series focusing on the centenary of 60103 Flying Scotsman we meet with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway's Business and Operations Manager and Driver Noel Hartley as well as getting the inside view from Fireman James Martin about what it takes to manage the locomotive.
The day starts at 5.30am at Haworth shed, the main running shed and maintenance facility on the Worth Valley Railway. The fire had been banked overnight to maintain to heat in the boiler - in fact, during its entire visit the locomotive was constantly in steam to reduce the thermic strain on the boiler and firebox. To bring the fire round, the crew rake the fire forward, then add timber to put fresh life into the locomotive follow…
