Fight is on to keep Flying Scotsman

Published on Friday 27 February 2004 00:00

A BID to bring the world’s most famous steam locomotive to Berwick-upon-Tweed is being led by a retired architect, who claims the Flying Scotsman must not be lost to the United States.

Philip Miller, whose home overlooks the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick, says the east coast railway town, with its historical cross-border links, is the ideal location for an attraction dedicated to the Flying Scotsman.

But Mr Miller and his Berwick Flying Scotsman Group have already conceded they will be unable to raise the 2.5 million needed to purchase the locomotive by 2 April, when bids for the engine close.

Instead, they will urge government ministers to refuse to sanction export licences in the event of a successful approach from the US or any other overseas buyer.

They will also argue that the York-based National Railway Museum, another potential owner, is already well-filled with famous locomotives. An application for funding would then be lodged with the Heritage Lottery Fund to pursue the Berwick project.

Andrew Dow, a former head of the rail museum, has indicated he will try to assemble a consortium to raise the money to buy the engine, and will also be seeking assistance from lottery-funding sources.

Rival UK attempts to secure ownership of the Flying Scotsman could reduce the chances of keeping the prestigious "iron horse" in this country.

However, the Berwick group, which hopes the engine would become a tourist attraction, has expressed a willingness to work with national agencies or private bidders if agreement can be reached to allow the Flying Scotsman to be stationed at the centre for at least part of the year.

Mr Miller, the chairman-elect of the Berwick Civic Society, said: "There is a real need here for something big to attract visitors in significant numbers.

"Nearby Alnwick now has its world-famous gardens created by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. But Berwick seems to suffer from an apathetic attitude and does not promote its rich heritage and outstanding attractions, such as its Elizabethan walls."

Mr Miller moved to Berwick three years ago, after selling his family’s previous home, Cairness House, a mansion near Fraserburgh.

"When we heard earlier this month that the Flying Scotsman was being offered for sale we felt it would be a tragedy for Britain if such a significant piece of this country’s engineering heritage was lost to the US," he said.

The group has set up a website, and will be holding a public meeting to outline their proposals.

Mr Miller said: "I would not class myself as a railway enthusiast, although I did collect engine numbers as a boy and remember the age of steam with affection.

"There are a number of ways in which this engine could end up in Berwick if a Flying Scotsman centre can be established close to the viaduct over the Tweed on land owned by Network Rail."

The decision by the directors of Flying Scotsman plc to sell the locomotive was taken following delays in plans to set up a visitor centre at Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

The A3 pacific engine, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, was manufactured in Doncaster in 1923. It is currently under contract to the luxury train operator Venice-Simplon Orient-Express, hauling excursion trains.

Since its acquisition from British Rail by Alan Pegler in 1963, the Flying Scotsman has had a chequered and varied career. The steam locomotive has already been to the US, where it pulled trains and also became a tourist attraction in San Francisco for a time.

The engine returned to the UK in 1973, when Sir William McAlpine became the new owner. During a tour of Australia for that country’s bicentennial celebrations in 1988, it set a new world record for a non-stop run for steam by hauling carriages for 422 miles across the continent.

The engine was sold again in 1996, before Flying Scotsman plc was formed in 2001.