THE ‘Flying Scotsman’ was waved off from Swanage Railway Station by a special guest on its first day hauling carriages in Dorset.

Penny Pegler, whose father prevented the world-famous steam locomotive from being cut up for scrap in the 1960s, was present for its return to the tracks on the heritage railway line.

The 97-tonne locomotive set off with a seven-carriage train from Swanage at 10.05am on Saturday, October 22, for the first of its special scheduled services.

Penny was clearly moved as she waved off the locomotive that her late father, Alan Pegler, purchased from British Railways in 1963.

She said: “It was wonderful to wave off ‘Flying Scotsman’ on the first train of the day from Swanage because the locomotive has such a special place in my heart.

“It’s great to see so many people coming to see and enjoy ‘Flying Scotsman’ almost 60 years after my dear father saved her from going to a scrapyard. It’s a very special day for me."

Later, at 11.45am, Penny rode behind ‘Flying Scotsman’ in the luxurious 1940s Pullman ‘Devon Belle’ observation carriage – known as Car 14 – when ‘Flying Scotsman’ hauled the second train of the day from Swanage.

Bournemouth Echo: The 'Flying Scotsman’ departs Swanage Station by The 'Flying Scotsman’ departs Swanage Station by (Image: ANDREW P.M. WRIGHT)

The journey brought back fond memories for Penny who, as a teenager, rode in that same carriage with her late father Alan Pegler behind ‘Flying Scotsman’ in the late 1960s and early 1970s while the train undertook a tour of Canada and the United States to promote British exports.

Penny said: “‘Flying Scotsman’ was a very important part of my life as a child. I was nine years old when my father came up up to my room on a snowy night in January, 1963, to say goodnight and told me, with a twinkle in his eye, that he had just bought a beautiful steam locomotive to save her from being cut up in a scrapyard.

“Over the next few years, my father and I went on many wonderful trips all over the UK with ‘Scotty’ as we called ‘Flying Scotsman’. She was lovely and a special part of my family life."

'Flying Scotsman’ is hauling trains on the Swanage Railway until October 26. To find out more visit swanagerailway.co.uk.