Rail fans chuffed about Flying 'ScotsManc'
Manchester’s steam train enthusiasts were given a rare opportunity to see the famous locomotive the Flying Scotsman in action, as test runs were carried out between Heywood, Bury and Rawtenstall.
Spectators waited along the East Lancashire Railway route to spot the green and black engine.
Built in Doncaster in 1923, The Flying Scotsman is famous for being the first train to make a non-stop journey from London to Edinburgh in 1928. In 1934, it became the first locomotive to run at 100mph.Last year, the Flying Scotsman topped a YouGov poll of the world’s best known trains.
The famous train’s first journey in a decade comes after £4.2 million restoration project carried out by Bury based engineers Riley and Son Ltd and commissioned by the National Railway Museum, based in York.
The engine, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, has been showcased around the world after being sold in 1963 when the train was retired from service. The National Railway Museum bought it for £2.4 million in 2004.
On 23 January the legendary locomotive will make the journey from Manchester to Carlisle before public services begin in late February.