TRAIN lovers will gather with excitement this summer when the world-famous Flying Scotsman returns to the county.
Bluebell Railway, a heritage railway operating steam-hauled trains between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, will welcome the locomotive in August 2022.
It will be the Flying Scotsman’s second visit to the Bluebell following a seven-day run in April 2017 – marking the first time the engine had visited Sussex in more than 50 years.
Geoff Mee, chairman of Bluebell Railway Plc, said: “We are thrilled to confirm The Flying Scotsman is on track to visit us once again.
“The last event was a huge success, with many people travelling from far and wide to glimpse the famous loco on Bluebell rails.
"We have some exciting plans for this year’s visit – including the chance to travel behind Flying Scotsman on regular services and special dining trains, so keep an eye out for more information soon!”
The Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive of the newly-formed London and North Eastern Railway.
The locomotive (previously numbered 1472) was renumbered 4472 in 1924 and given the name "Flying Scotsman" after the daily 10.00am London to Edinburgh rail service.
It was numbered 60103 after British Railways was formed and rail travel was nationalised in 1948.
The Flying Scotsman is now owned by the National Railway Museum and operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd.
The locomotive is due to undergo an overhaul in April 2022, prior to the locomotive’s centenary celebrations in 2023. The visit to the Bluebell Railway will be one of the first chances to see the famous engine following the overhaul.
As part of the overhaul, Riley & Son (E) Ltd will restore the locomotive to the same standard as the last overhaul in 2016, with work focusing on the boiler and the required retube and recertification.
There will not be any changes to the locomotive’s livery, numbering or chimney configuration.
Sarah Price, head of locomotion said: “Flying Scotsman is a symbol of the grace, speed and style of the steam age and the world’s most famous locomotive is a fantastic ambassador for the National Railway Museum.
"Ahead of the centenary in 2023, we’re keen for as many as possible to see the newly-overhauled Flying Scotsman, whether at speed on the main line or up close at heritage lines and I’m sure the visit to the Bluebell Railway will be a great success.”
The Flying Scotsman will be running non-stop return services between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead for five days from August 25 to August 29.
Visitors will also be able to see the locomotive on static display at Sheffield Park from August 17 to August 24 and August 30 to September 5.
Tickets for footplate viewings will be available to book online.
Tickets will be on sale from Sunday, May 1. Please visit the Bluebell Railway’s website for further information: www.bluebell-railway.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here