As Flying Scotsman approaches her 100th birthday, the renowned locomotive has undergone a rigorous mechanical overhaul to be ready for a year of celebrations.
The National Railway Museum which is also part of the Science Museum Group in York and home to the celebrity locomotive has released behind-the-scenes photographs of specialist engineers from Riley & Son Ltd carrying at work on the locomotive. The museum has also revealed that working with Swanage Railway Trust, Flying Scotsman's very first centenary appearance this autumn at the heritage railway in Dorset
Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 at Doncaster Works and has become a national icon marking the pinnacle of engineering of the time being designed by legendary Chief Mechanical Engineer Sir Nigel Gresley and running on the London and North Eastern Railway which was newly formed at that time. The impressive locomotive also holds the world record for a non-stop service whilst visiting Australia knocking up a massive 442-mile trip in 1989.
Hornby has also revealed that it will be the lead sponsor for the year of Flying Scotsman's centenary events and activities which is extremely fitting as the model rail manufacturer has had an ongoing connection with the locomotive since 1927 when it first introduced a ‘0' gauge tinplate model with the name ‘Flying Scotsman'. Since 1969, Hornby has created more than 50 versions of ‘Flying Scotsman' and remains one of its most popular models to this day.
More information regarding the centenary celebrations will be released later this year and will include the publication of Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever by Thames & Hudson which is a brand new book by well-loved author Michael Morpurgo with beautiful illustrations by Michael Foreman.
Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, said: “Flying Scotsman is one of the world's most recognisable steam locomotives and still draws excited crowds wherever it goes. It is one of the jewels in the crown of our world-class collection, and we are delighted to share these iconic images from its recent overhaul as well as its first public event this autumn as we prepare for the engine's centenary in 2023.
“Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever from Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman is a beautifully-written companion to the key moments of Flying Scotsman's history and thanks to Hornby's generous support, we will deliver an exciting programme of national events and activities throughout 2023.”
Michael Morpurgo said: “I grew up on steam trains, remember the sound of them, the smell of them, the rhythm of them. I went on holidays on them, went to school on them. So when Michael Foreman asked me to write a story about the greatest, most iconic steam locomotive of them all, Flying Scotsman, I sat down at once and just did it… All the memories came flooding back. I loved writing my story, but now all I want to do is fulfil a lifelong dream, to get up on the footplate of Flying Scotsman and drive it, and be at last the engine driver I wanted to be. With me up there driving, we would be in Edinburgh faster than you could say, Flying Scotsman.”
Simon Kohler, Marketing & Development Director at Hornby Hobbies Ltd, comments: “I have been fascinated with this icon of steam since the late 1960s when, one evening, I stood on Wellingborough Station and saw the true magnificence of the locomotive. Resplendent in its LNER apple green livery, I was simply captivated by the amazing spectacle, and that memory has stayed with me ever since.
“Hornby's association with Flying Scotsman goes back almost 100 years, so it seemed only fitting that we should provide our support in celebrating the centenary of such a national icon. I would like to thank the National Railway Museum for giving Hornby the opportunity to do so.”
I once seen the Flying Scotsman at Crewe on a open day back in 1987 or 8 and at that time you was allowed to go in the cabs of some locomotives and the Flying Scotsman was one of them, it was brilliant, I’ve still got the pictures I took while on the footplate