Museum bids for Flying Scotsman

Published on Friday 2 April 2004 01:00

MUSEUM bosses today put in their bid to keep the world’s most famous steam locomotive running on Britain’s railways.

The National Railway Museum in York has submitted the offer a day before the April 2 deadline after a campaign to raise enough money to buy the Flying Scotsman, the engine famed for the first non-stop run from London to Edinburgh in 1928.

The bid includes more than 425,000 raised through a public appeal and an undisclosed "substantial" donation from Sir Richard Branson on behalf of the Virgin Group.

Andrew Scott, head of the National Railway Museum, said: "The level of support and the strength of feeling towards this historic locomotive has been absolutely staggering.

"There can be no doubt that, without the generous donations and goodwill of the British public, we could not even have hoped to put together a worthwhile bid.

"Our staff have handled more than 5500 calls, letters and e-mails since the appeal was launched and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fund. If our bid is successful, we hope to invest any donations received after today in ensuring that the locomotive is fit for mainline operations."

The locomotive’s present owner, Flying Scotsman Plc, decided to put its prize asset up for sale earlier this year after delays in building a visitor centre in Edinburgh to house it.

The firm asked international property advisers GVA Grimley to hold a sealed bidding process - effectively auctioning the legendary locomotive.

Built in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway’s Doncaster works, Flying Scotsman rose to fame during an international exhibition in Wembley.

After completing the world’s longest non-stop run, the famous engine became the first steam locomotive to achieve a speed of 100mph.

The outcome of the sale is expected to be announced next week.