World-famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman will continue its centenary celebrations at Christmas by visiting Locomotion museum in Shildon, County Durham.
Flying Scotsman will visit the museum between 16 December 2023 and 7 January 2024. The occasion will be the last chance for people to see the loco in light steam for free in its centenary year. There will be free family events and activities, including make-and-take craft sessions.
The Locomotion railway museum opened in 2004, with local MP and then Prime Minister Tony Blair attending the opening.
Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster in 1923 for the newly-formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), and was saved from scrap and toured overseas before becoming part of the National Railway Museum's collection.
The short film Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices will be screened as part of the event. It features stories from people with a strong connection to the locomotive. Visitors will also be able to access Flying Scotsman's footplate, where generations of drivers and firemen worked. They will be able to look down the tender corridor, which was introduced by LNER in 1928 to enable new crew to travel between the support coach and the footplate without the need to stop.
Visitors will also be able to see the more than seventy rail vehicles in Locomotion's main hall and use the indoor and outdoor play areas.
CrossCountry is sponsoring Flying Scotsman's visit to Locomotion. The Flying Scotsman centenary programme has been supported by Hornby Hobbies (Lead Sponsor), the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the People's Postcode Lottery.
The event is free to attend but visitors must book in advance. For more information, visit the Locomotion website.
Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion, said: “We know from previous visits that Flying Scotsman has a unique appeal and I hope that families and railway enthusiasts from across the region will join us this Christmas to help celebrate Flying Scotsman's very special birthday.”
