Update 20:30 (22nd May 2018): Flying Scotsman’s path from Preston to the East Lancashire Railway has been cancelled – it has been taken to Carnforth WCRC depot from Preston instead

World famous locomotive Flying Scotsman will be back in steam on the mainline and will be passing through Preston and Manchester on Tuesday 22nd May 2018.

The A3 locomotive is on a special railtour today. 60103 is coming from Edinburgh on the special railtour and is then being removed from the train at Preston, before moving onto the East Lancashire Railway, in Bury.

The movement from Preston to Bury is to allow it to be parked at the East Lancs Railway where it is being maintained currently.

The steam locomotive will stop at Preston at approximately 18:10, they will then detach 60103 from the train (this allows for some photos).

The railtour will then leave Preston, bound for London Euston, at 18:40, leaving Flying Scotsman in the Up Goods Loop for it to be coaled and watered ready for its trip to the East Lancashire Railway.

Flying Scotsman will then leave Preston, bound for the ELR, at 20:17 with its support coach in tow.

The locomotives path to the East Lancashire Railway is via Leyland, Wigan North Western, Eccles, Manchester Victoria (21:44), Miles Platting and finally Castleton – where it leaves the mainline to go onto ELR metal.

Timings

For timings on these movements, please click the links below:

• Stage 1: 1Z65 1411 Carlisle to Preston via Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn
• CANCELLED Stage 2: 5Z66 2017 Preston to Castleton Hopwood Gf via Wigan North Western, Manchester Victoria and Miles Platting

For anybody wanting to photo the railtour’s journey from Preston to London Euston, the timings are as follows:

• 1Z66 1840 Preston to London Euston via Wigan North Western, Crewe, Lichfield Trent Valley, Milton Keynes Central, Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Harrow Wealdstone

As always, please respect the dangers of the railway. Please do not trespass on the railway to see this iconic locomotive – stay to public access spots!

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