THE most famous railway engine in the world is making a rare visit to Sussex over the Easter weekend.

The Flying Scotsman, which became the first train to reach 100mph in 1934, will be at the Bluebell Railway from tomorrow until Wednesday next week.

Built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway, the engine is an icon of British engineering.

Although it was retired from service in 1963, it travels around the world, enabling railway enthusiasts to see the 96 tonne machine up close.

John Walls, from the Bluebell Railway, said it was a major coup to secure the Scotsman over the Easter weekend.

He said: “It’s a great event and it’s a privilege for Bluebell Railway to host the locomotive.

“We are expecting lots of people to come down and see the Scotsman. It will also help raise the profile of the Bluebell Railway, especially now that we can accommodate the visits of these famous locomotives.”

The heritage railway is one of the largest tourist attractions in Sussex.

The Flying Scotsman will be travelling between the line’s stations, Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote.

All the tickets to ride on the Scotsman have sold out but you can visit the stations to watch the train come and go. Tickets are £10.

Visitors are advised that there will be limited parking especially at Sheffield Park, where space is mainly intended for those holding tickets to ride the Flying Scotsman.

The Bluebell will also host a miniature version of the Typhoon train from the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Enthusiasts will recreate the iconic image of the Typhoon and Scotsman together in 1927.

For details and for the Flying Scotsman’s timetable, visit bluebell-railway.co.uk.

NATIONAL TREASURE STILL GOING STRONG

THE Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works.

Designed by Nigel Gresley it was heralded as the finest engine ever built. And it lived up to its billing in 1934 when it became the first train to hit 100mph.

It was LNER’s flagship locomotive and was used at events such as the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park in 1924 to promote the country.

It was retired in 1963 but was saved from the scrapyard by Alan Pegler, pictured, with the political support of none other than Prime Minister Harold Wilson Mr Pegler spent large amounts of money restoring the Scotsman before running it around the rail network for enthusiasts.

Businessman William McAlpine then bought it before the National Train Museum in York took guardianship. The Scotsman now regularly tours the country, attracting thousands wherever it goes. The train also featured on one of the specially produced £5 coins for the 2012 Olympics.