Flying Scotsman set to steam through Scotland

TRAIN-SPOTTERS are expected to be out in force this weekend as Flying Scotsman makes its first trip to Scotland for more than a decade.

The Flying Scotsman

The world-famous locomotive is making a much-anticipated tour following a multimillion-pound restoration.

Rail enthusiasts are expected to line the tracks in their hundreds to catch a glimpse of the steam engine, but they have been warned not to jeopardise their safety or that of others.

British Transport Police said anyone caught trespassing risks a criminal record and fine.

Flying Scotsman will pull into Edinburgh Waverley on Saturday night before heading south to Tweedbank on the new Borders Railway on Sunday morning.

That evening, the locomotive will head across the Forth Bridge and is scheduled to go on public display at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway on Monday.

Tourism body VisitScotland is encouraging passengers to take in some other sights on the tour, including the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.

Phil Verster, managing director of ScotRail Alliance, said: “The Flying Scotsman is a world-famous locomotive with a loyal and enthusiastic following, and its first trip to Scotland for 16 years is a great opportunity to demonstrate what Scotland has to offer.

“As well as providing another unparalleled opportunity to showcase the newly opened Borders Railway, passengers on board the train will be able to enjoy the breathtaking clifftop views along the East Coast Main Line, the picturesque beauty of the Fife coast, and majesty of the Forth Bridge.”

Built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1923, Flying Scotsman soon became the star locomotive of the British railway system, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.

The National Railway Museum in York bought the locomotive for £2.3 million in 2004 before work got under way on its decade-long restoration two years later.

Network Rail was forced to pay out almost £60,000 in compensation when dozens of train services were delayed by people encroaching on the track during the refurbished train’s inaugural run from London to York on February 2 this year.

Alex Sharkey, ScotRail Alliance area director for the east of Scotland, said: “It is extremely dangerous and illegal for the public to trespass on the railway.

“During the trips to the Borders and Fife, we will continue to operate a full passenger service with hundreds of other trains running on these lines throughout the time Flying Scotsman is in Scotland.

“Those who plan to enjoy seeing the steam engine in the coming days must do so from a safe position and must not enter the operational railway under any circumstances.

“For safety reasons, we will also be limiting access to some of our stations and platforms while the train is passing through to make sure regular travellers can still use the railway and to manage the risk of overcrowding.”

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