An outstanding calendar of events is planned to celebrate Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 4472 Flying Scotsman’s centenary. MARK CHIVERS outlines where you can catch a glimpse of the world’s most famous steam locomotive this year.
TO CELEBRATE Flying Scotsman’s centenary, an ambitious year-long programme of events has been arranged to celebrate this locomotive’s 100 years of service. The events range from an exhibition of documents, stories and photographs from the National Railway Museum’s archives, to a series of Flying Scotsman hauled railtours and visits to heritage lines around the country. The locomotive is also set to make appearances at the National Railway Museum and Locomotion, Shildon on selected dates during the year too.
Above: Proudly displaying a Keighley and Worth Valley Railway headboard, 60103 Flying Scotsman passes Langcliffe on the Settle and Carlisle (S&C) line on March 31 2017 heading a special tour marking the reopening of the S&C route following a landslip in 2016. Alan Padley.
New exhibition Flying Scotsman 100 Years:100 Voices is set to launch at the National Railway Museum on February 10, while a collection of original watercolours from new children’s book, Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever by Michael Morpurgo (illustrated by Michael Foreman), will be on display at the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum in Doncaster from February 11 to June 17 2023.
Flying Scotsman begins its 2023 calendar of appearances at the East Lancashire Railway during March and is then destined for a series of special railtours and heritage line visits throughout 2023. Full details can be found within the accompanying Flying Scotsman events guide
Above: In the shadow of the Forth Bridge, Gresley ‘A3’ 60103 Flying Scotsman threads its way through Fife on June 25 2021. The train spent two days in Edinburgh where passengers were able to take a journey over the Forth Bridge behind Flying Scotsman. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.
Dates, times and details were correct at the time of going to press. Check out the latest updates here.
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EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY
Event: Flying Scotsman at ELR
When: March 1-25 2023
Where: East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Times: Various (see website for static visits/running days/dining train details)
Prices: See website
Website: East Lancs Railway
Features: During Flying Scotsman’s visit to the East Lancashire Railway the locomotive will be on static display on March 3, 4, 5 and 10 as well as operating round trips on the line on March 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19. Dining specials are also scheduled on March 11, 17 and 18.
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
Event: Centenary Celebration
When: April 1-16 2023
Where: National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
Times: 10am-5pm (Wednesday-Sunday)
Prices: Free
Website: National Railway Museum
Features: Flying Scotsman will be on display at the National Railway Museum in York alongside a new Virtual Reality experience charting the locomotive’s history in the UK and around the world over the past 100 years. The engine and tender will also be separated to enable all visitors to access the footplate whilst on display as part of the updated Flying Scotsman story exhibition.
Above: On March 16 2016 Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 60103 Flying Scotsman passes Green End on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Alan Padley.
EXCURSION
Event: Royal Duchy
When: Sunday April 30 2023
Where: Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth/Par (and return)
Times: 0845-2245
Prices: Adults £185-£375, juniors £145-£290, family £588-£1185
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Flying Scotsman heads a special day trip from Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton and Taunton to Devon and Cornwall. The train will be steam-hauled from Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth, then diesel-hauled onwards to Par. Flying Scotsman will then head the return trip from Par. Seats will be available in Standard Class, First Class and Premier Dining.
KEIGHLEY AND WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY
Event: Flying Scotsman at KWVR
When: May 1-24 2023
Where: Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Haworth, West Yorkshire BD22 8NJ
Times: Various (see website)
Prices: Various (see website)
Website: KWVR
Features: Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is planning a host of events to welcome Flying Scotsman to the heritage line with opportunities to ride behind the locomotive, together with special dining services, late-night running and more.
EXCURSION
Event: Cardiff Express
When: Wednesday June 7 2023
Where: London Paddington to Cardiff (and return)
Times: 0715-2200
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Flying Scotsman will head through the Thames Valley via pick-ups at Slough, Reading and Didcot Parkway before heading for South Wales. The tour will use the Maindee triangle to turn the train and will then be diesel-hauled for the final leg between Newport and Cardiff Central. Flying Scotsman will then return the train from Cardiff calling as before on its journey back to London Paddington. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available.
EXCURSION
Event: The Cheshireman
When: Saturday June 10 2023
Where: London Euston to Chester (and return)
Times: 0640-2240
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Flying Scotsman will head this special charter train from London Euston to Chester via the West Coast Main Line with pick-ups at Milton Keynes (also for customers from Watford Junction), Northampton, Rugby and Nuneaton. Following a four hour break in Chester, Flying Scotsman will retrace its steps to London Euston, setting down as per the outward schedule. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available.
EXCURSION
Event: Portsmouth Flyer
When: Saturday June 17 2023
Where: London Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour (and return)
Times: 0845-2040
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Flying Scotsman heads a circular tour from London Victoria to Portsmouth and Southsea/Portsmouth Harbour, via Guildford and Havant on the outward journey and Fareham, Romsey, Andover and Basingstoke on the return. The tour picks up and sets down at Staines and Woking. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available.
EXCURSION
Event: Salisbury Express
When: Wednesday June 21 2023
Where: London Paddington to Salisbury (and return)
Times: 0920-2000
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Departing from London Paddington, Flying Scotsman heads this excursion to Salisbury via Reading, the Berks and Hants route and Westbury on the outward journey and via Southampton, Basingstoke and Reading on the return to Paddington. The train picks up and sets down at Slough and Reading. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available.
Above: Gresley ‘A3’ 60103 Flying Scotsman heads south on the West Coast Main Line with a positioning move consisting of three carriages and a West Coast Railways liveried Class 47, passing through Lichfield Trent Valley station on May 18 2021. John Whitehouse.
EXCURSION
Event: Great Yarmouth Flyer
When: Friday June 23 2023
Where: London King’s Cross to Great Yarmouth (and return)
Times: 0810-2115
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Flying Scotsman heads this excursion to Great Yarmouth as far as Norwich – with pick-ups at Hertford North and Stevenage – then via Royston, Cambridge and Ely to Norwich. From here, the final leg to Great Yarmouth will be diesel hauled. On the return, Flying Scotsman will head the excursion from the seaside resort to London King’s Cross, avoiding a reversal at Norwich by taking the Wensum curve and then retracing the outward route. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available.
EXCURSION
Event: Centenary Weekender
When: Friday June 30- Tuesday July 4 2023
Where: London King’s Cross to York, Edinburgh and Aberdeen (and return)
Times: Various (see website)
Prices: Various options with/without accommodation included (see website)
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: A long-weekend excursion taking in the East Coast Main Line. Flying Scotsman heads from London King’s Cross on the Friday bound for York for a chance to explore the city and overnight stay. On Saturday Flying Scotsman then heads the excursion onwards to Edinburgh where passengers will be based for the next three nights. Sunday is a free day to explore the city, while on the Monday Flying Scotsman then heads the train across the Forth Bridge and on to Aberdeen before retracing its steps to Edinburgh. The following day, Flying Scotsman once again hauls the excursion back to York, where a diesel locomotive takes over for the final leg to London King’s Cross. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available, together with accommodation options.
EXCURSION
Event: The Waverley
When: Sunday July 9 2023
Where: York to Carlisle (and return)
Times: 0930-2120
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Starting at York, Flying Scotsman embarks on a trip across the Settle and Carlisle route by way of Leeds, Keighley and Skipton to pick up passengers. After a break in the city, it heads back setting down as per the outward journey. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available (latter not available from/to Skipton).
EXCURSION
Event: The Waverley
When: Sunday August 6 2023
Where: York to Carlisle (and return)
Times: 0930-2120
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Starting at York, Flying Scotsman embarks on a trip across the Settle and Carlisle (S&C) route by way of Leeds, Keighley and Skipton to pick up passengers. After a water stop at Hellifield, the excursion then joins the S&C bound for Carlisle – with another water stop on the way. Following just over an hour and a half’s break in the city, Flying Scotsman heads back over the S&C (with a water stop at Appleby) before setting down as per the outward journey. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available (latter not available from/to Skipton).
BLUEBELL RAILWAY
Event: Flying Scotsman at the Bluebell Railway
When: August 14-31 2023
Where: Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex TN22 3QL
Times: Various (see website)
Prices: Check website
Website: Bluebell Railway
Features: Flying Scotsman is due to visit the Bluebell Railway later this summer, between Monday August 14 and Thursday August 31 2023. Full details of events during the locomotive’s residency at the Bluebell Railway have yet to be announced.
EXCURSION
Event: The Waverley
When: Sunday September 10 2023
Where: York to Carlisle (and return)
Times: 0930-2120
Prices: Adults £165-£335, juniors £125-£250, family £518-£1045
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: Starting at York, Flying Scotsman embarks on a trip across the Settle and Carlisle (S&C) route by way of Leeds, Keighley and Skipton to pick up passengers. After a water stop at Hellifield, the excursion then joins the S&C bound for Carlisle – with another water stop on the way. Following just over an hour and a half’s break in the city, Flying Scotsman heads back over the S&C (with a water stop at Appleby) before setting down as per the outward journey. Standard, First and Premier Dining options available (latter not available from/to Skipton).
EXCURSION
Event: The Hadrian
When: Saturday October 14 2023
Where: Derby to Darlington (and return)
Times: 0600-2300
Prices: Adults £175-£345, juniors £130-£255, family £545-£1123
Website: Railway Touring Company
Features: This excursion starts with diesel locomotive haulage from Derby to York, calling at Long Eaton, Beeston, Ilkeston and Chesterfield to pick-up passengers. At York, Flying Scotsman takes over for the run across the spectacular Settle and Carlisle line, with a stop for water on the way, before arriving in Carlisle for a two-hour break in the city. Flying Scotsman’s return journey is via the Tyne Valley route from Carlisle towards Newcastle-upon-Tyne, joining the East Coast Main Line at Low Fell and heading south through Durham and on to Darlington. Here, a diesel locomotive will take over for the run to York and then back to Derby, setting down as per the outward journey.
LOCOMOTION, SHILDON
Event: Centenary Festival
When: December 2023
Where: Locomotion, Shildon, County Durham DL4 2RE
Times: 10am-4pm (Wednesday-Sunday)
Prices: Free
Website: Locomotion
Features: Flying Scotsman will be on display in light steam outside the museum. There will be hands-on activities and drop-in workshops taking place, as well as immersive experiences. Visit the website for more details closer to the date.
