Full Steam Ahead For Flying Scotsman
One of the world's most famous steam locomotives is to make its inaugural run from London to York after a decade long, £4.2 million refit.
One of the world's most famous steam locomotives is to make its inaugural run from London to York after a decade long, £4.2 million refit. Thousands of steam enthusiasts are expected to line tracks and bridges as the Flying Scotsman makes the journey up the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross. It has been painted in the traditional early 1960s British Rail green for its first official outing bearing its nameplates after the restoration project. Built in Doncaster, in 1923, it soon became the star locomotive of the British railway system, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934. The National Railway Museum (NRM) in York bought the locomotive for £2.3 million in 2004 before work got under way on its restoration in 2006. NRM's head curator Andrew McLean said: "To finally get Flying Scotsman fully restored, looking exactly as she should, in steam and alive again will be a really special moment for many people.'' The Flying Scotsman will be kept at the NRM until March 6 before embarking on a tour around the country. Jim Lowe, head of operations at the museum, said: "Along with all our generous supporters for this complex project to bring a 1920s-built cultural icon back to life, we have all been looking forward to this historic day when Flying Scotsman steams again. "As well as seeing the icon out and about, the public can experience the essence of Flying Scotsman first-hand at our museum with our 2016 Scotsman Season sponsored by Virgin Trains on its East Coast route.''