This year marks the 100th anniversary of the world's most famous steam locomotive, the Flying Scotsman. The landmark was celebrated in front of large crowds in Edinburgh, at Waverley Station recently, where it had been a nearly daily visitor on East Coast trains for over forty years.
The Flying Scotsman, the first locomotive of the newly founded London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), was built in Doncaster. It was assigned the number 1472 on February 24, 1923. Sir Nigel Gresley designed it as part of the A1 class, the LNER's most powerful locomotives at the time.
The UK's Rail Museum has put together several events to commemorate the centenary. The exhibition, Flying Scotsman 100 Years, 100 Voices, will showcase documents, photographs and stories from the museum&rsquos archives as well as from a recent public call-out. A specially commissioned exhibition film will cement the legacy of the locomotive through the lives it touched. You can explore stories from people whose lives have been touched by the locomotive, plus objects from the National Railway Museum archive.
The celebrations will go on till January 2024, and have many inspiring experiences for everyone. Get involved with hands-on activities, drop in at workshops and enjoy immersive experiences.Flying Scotsman will be outside the museum in light steam. You can sign up to the Flying Scotsman newsletter here to find out when more details are released.
The iconic old-fashioned steam train will be going around London train stations this June to commemorate the occasion. Throughout the month, the Flying Scotsman will make round trips from several London stations. Most tickets to ride the train on its excursions have sold out, but if you're standing in the correct location, you may still sight it in stations and along the routes. The A1 steam train, now one of the most famous trains in the world, initially appeared on the rails in 1862. This year's special outings will commemorate the locomotive's century.
Here's where you should go if you want to catch a peek.
Paddington, June 7 The Flying Scotsman will transport the Cardiff Express from Paddington to Cardiff via Slough and Reading, returning in the evening.
Euston, June 10 The Flying Scotsman will transport the Cheshireman from Euston to Chester, via Watford Junction and Milton Keynes, and will return in the evening.
Victoria, June 17 The Portsmouth Flyer will be hauled by the Flying Scotsman from Victoria station to Portsmouth, via Staines and Woking, and will return in the evening.
Paddington, June 21 The Salisbury Express will be hauled by the Flying Scotsman from Paddington station to Cardiff, via Slough and Reading, and will return in the evening.
Kings Cross, June 24 The Great Yarmouth Flyer will be hauled by the Flying Scotsman from Kings Cross station to Great Yarmouth, via Hertford North and Stevenage, and will return in the evening.
Kings Cross, June 30 The Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender will leave Kings Cross station in the morning.
According to recent reports, the Flying Scotsman may be pushed off mainline rail lines due to requests that its carriage door locks be replaced. To increase safety, the rail authority has enforced new restrictions requiring it and other old locomotives to have central locking. The doors of the 100-year-old Flying Scotsman are currently locked and unlocked with an antique bolt.
