Steam locomotive 44871 to replace B1 61306 Mayflower on tours with Flying Scotsman

Steam Dreams have announced that Black 5 44871 will be replacing 61306 Mayflower on her trips with Flying Scotsman into Cornwall and Devon this October.

44871 can be regularly seen crossing the famous ‘Harry Potter' Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland – whilst hauling ‘The Jacobite' steam trains in the summer.

Restoration work on B1 61306 Mayflower is still ongoing. This means that this locomotive will no longer be available for these tours.

World Famous steam locomotive, 60103 Flying Scotsman, will be traveling into Devon for the first time since its return to steam in 2016 on the 4th October 2018.

Schedule

Departing from Taunton for Plymouth at 16:30 on the 4th October, the famous locomotive will take in the dramatic coastline at Exe Estuary. It will head past Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth before passing through Newton Abbot and heading to Plymouth.

On the 6th October, the locomotive will then travel from Plymouth to Penzance. This train departs Plymouth at 09:00. Having steamed to Penzance, the train will return to Plymouth at 15:00.

Finally – now back at Plymouth. The train will depart for the additional trip to Par on Saturday 6 October, leaving Plymouth at 17:00. Flying Scotsman, with 44871 up front, will double head over the famous Tamar Bridge, which was designed by Brunel. This train is timed to allow passengers to have dinner on the train, with champagne and canapes being served to Pullman Style Dining and Premier Dining passengers. Passengers will then return diesel-hauled to Plymouth.

On Monday, 8th October 2018, Flying Scotsman along with 44871 will head north from Plymouth to Exeter (departure 09:00 am). They will once again take on coastlines before picking up passengers at Exeter. They will then go on the on the final phase of the tour taking the passengers to Bristol, who will return hauled by diesel.

The locomotives will be tested on the climbs in this county. Passengers will be treated to hearing the world famous locomotive working hard with its teammate, 44871.

What did the officials say?

Marcus Robertson, Founder of Steam Dreams Rail Co commented:

“It's a great shame that Mayflower will no longer be able to accompany Flying Scotsman on its historic journey through Devon in to Cornwall. We are, however delighted to announce that five of our six trips this this October will be double-headed, pairing the world- famous Flying Scotsman with Stanier Black Five, an engine used to cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in the iconic Harry Potter films – adding an extra special touch for the autumn”.

David Buck, Chairman of Steam Dreams Rail Co, added:

“Mayflower's restoration work is nearing completion but sadly won't be finished for these historic trips in October. What we can confirm is that Mayflower, which has never been to Plymouth, will make her maiden journey to the city in 2020 as part of the 400th anniversary celebrations of the date that her namesake set sail with the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth to North America.”

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