THE most famous and iconic steam locomotive in the world will be visiting a railway in Dorset next month.
The Flying Scotsman will be visiting Swanage Railway for almost three weeks in October, from Wednesday, 19 to Sunday, November 6.
The 97-tonne A3 class locomotive, built in 1923, will be operating along the popular Purbeck line for 19 days.
Marcus Alldrick, volunteer commercial director at Swanage Railway, said: “The trustees, directors, staff and dedicated volunteers of the Swanage Railway are delighted that the Railway has been successful in its bid to again host Flying Scotsman which celebrates its centenary during February, 2023.
Read more: Flying Scotsman arrives at Swanage Railway for special service
“We are extremely grateful to the National Railway Museum for again giving the Swanage Railway the opportunity to host such an historic event to operate and display the world famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ which is such a charismatic icon and turns 100 years old on 24 February, 2023.
“It will be marvellous to admire No. 60103 hauling the unique Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage – known as Car 14 – because they operated as a pair across the USA between 1969 and 1972.”
The iconic steam locomotive will be on static display at Swanage station on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21 and again from Thursday, October 27 to Sunday, November 6. Tickets will be needed.
Costing £7,944 to build, ‘Flying Scotsman’ was named after the prestigious London to Edinburgh express train service that the locomotive helped to operate – the journey time being eight hours.
During a test run in 1934, the Nigel Gresley-designed ‘Flying Scotsman’ was the first steam locomotive in the United Kingdom to haul a train at 100mph.
Purchased by the National Railway Museum in 2004, Flying Scotsman was restored thanks to a £4.2 million, ten-year project funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as from public donations.
Swanage Railway Company chairman Robert Patterson said: "With uniformed attendants serving champagne and canapés to passengers on board the Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage, Car 14 will be coupled directly behind 'Flying Scotsman' when it hauls trains on the Swanage Railway.”
Flying Scotsman last visited Swanage in March 2019.
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