The East Lancashire Railwayh is to welcome A3 No. 60103 Flying Scotsman in 2026.
The famous locomotive will make a visit in June thanks to the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam.
On the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th June, the locomotive will haul trains to Rawtenstall, whilst on the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 12th June, the locomotive will be on static display.
The ELR played a part in Scotsman’s restoration when it returned to steam in 2016, and on the 5th, 6th and 13th June, passengers can enjoy a dining experience behind the locomotive.
Tickets and timetables will be available on the ELR website soon.
“We are delighted and proud to once again warmly welcome back the world’s most iconic locomotive, Flying Scotsman, as it returns to the East Lancashire Railway for a five-day visit in June.
“We have an exciting programme of events planned for all our visitors and enthusiasts to enjoy the unique experience of riding behind Flying Scotsman or visiting the footplate and creating wonderful memories.”
Chairman of ELR, Mike Kelly
Responses
I remember getting lost trying find a company that was somewhere near the Bury transport museum and my GPS was acting up so I pulled down onto the Bolton Street carpark next to the ELR. I noticed something steam train shaped sitting at the platform in matt black paint and no numbers which looked a bit odd. I decided to walk over to the platform top workout what is was. There was a member of staff next to it, who saw me looking puzzled and asked me what is was? I was going to ask him that. I took a good hard look at it racking my brain looking for clues, it looked very graceful but also menacing, the matt black paint did that but was making it harder to workout. Yes it was a familiar shape, so I guessed ‘Flying Scotsman’. The member of staff told me I was correct and allowed me to go onto the footplate, it was very different to the MT2 I had driven, but also very familiar. The only problem was that I never took any pictures, I wish I had now.
For a second, I was worried she was taking part at the Legends of Steam III and I’m thankful she isn’t
Why is that Arthur?
I’m not the biggest fan of 60103, Mike.. I tend to avoid her like the plague.
Wherever she goes, people go and some tend to ignore safety for the sake of a photo of Scotsman. The LoS events are one of favourites yearly galas and I would hate to miss one because of 60103.
I get Flying Scotsman is a world famous locomotive but it gets ridiculous when she’s being like a A-list Hollywood celebrity with Police and barriers / fencing. I’ve never known for the BTP to be called in to help with crowd control when any other steam locomotive arrives at a National Rail station.
60103 is what everyone thinks of as a old time train and people flock to see it. I came across it a Hellifield a while back and the BTP where in attendance but the small crowd was well behaved. Knowing that there was a chance of crowds I filmed from the goods shed.
A great engine visiting a great heritage line