flying scotsman centenary trips

The Flying Scotsman is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of luxury-packed trips

The Flying Scotsman, perhaps the most legendary locomotive in the world, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a series of special trips across the United Kingdom.

Famed for its daily service between London and Edinburgh, the Flying Scotsman is offering several rare opportunities to experience its carriages on several specially added daytrip routes traversing various scenic landscapes.

Among the celebratory routes is the Great Yarmouth Flyer, departing from London King's Cross and winding through the picturesque Fens and Norfolk, England.

The centerpiece of the celebratory program will be the Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender from June 30 to July 4. This journey promises an unforgettable weekend tour from London to Edinburgh via York, England.

On the trip, Standard-class passengers will enjoy a one-night stay in a York hotel, followed by three nights in an Edinburgh hotel. Tickets start at 925 British pounds (about $1,178) per person (not including accommodation).

For those seeking a more indulgent experience, Premier class offers additional perks such as five breakfasts, four lunches and reserved seating in first-class coaches. Premier-class tickets start at 1,635 pounds ($2,083) per person (not including accommodation).

You can book your tickets through The Railway Touring Company website .

In honor of the centenary, various exhibitions will commemorate the rich history of the iconic steam train; there will also be a Centenary Festival at the Locomotion railway museum in Shildon, England. The event will feature hands-on activities and drop-in workshops documenting the train's history.

Here are some of the notable trips you can still book tickets for:

• The Great Yarmouth Flyer, June 23: London to Great Yarmouth, England
• The Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender, June 30 to July 4: London to Edinburgh, with stops at York, England
• The Waverley, July 9: York to Carlisle, England.
• The Waverley, Aug. 6: York to Carlisle
• The Waverley, Sept. 10: York to Carlisle
• The Hadrian, Oct. 14: Derby, England, to Carlisle

For a comprehensive list of the Flying Scotsman centenary program and further information, visit the Railway Museum website .

Bottom line

The Flying Scotsman, the world's most famous locomotive, is celebrating 100 years of service by staging a series of rare trips that venture beyond its usual routes.

If you'd like to splurge on a ticket for one of the journeys, book here .

Flying Scotsman 2023 trips announced as iconic train celebrates 100th anniversary - how to get tickets

The Flying Scotsman will be completing a number of special trips across the UK as part of its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Most famous for its daily rail service between London and Edinburgh , the locomotive was constructed in 1923. Celebrating its long and storied history, the public will be able to ride the iconic train this year as it completes day trips around the country.

Among the routes included are the Portsmouth Flyer, which will journey from London Victoria to Portsmouth, and the Great Yarmouth Flyer from London King's Cross through the rural landscapes of the Fens and Norfolk.

The highlight of the programme, however, is the Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender from June 30 to July 4, a weekend tour from London to Edinburgh via York. Included in the Standard Class price is a one-night stay in a York hotel and three nights in an Edinburgh hotel.

If you can afford Premier Class, you will also receive five breakfasts and four lunches, as well as reserved seating in First Class coaches. Tickets can be purchased from The Railway Touring Company website .

As part of the centenary, there will also be exhibitions celebrating the history of the iconic locomotive, as well as a special Centenary Festival. This will include hands-on activities and drop-in workshops, and will be held at the Locomotion railway museum in Shildon.

Flying Scotsman 2023 programme

• The Royal Duchy, Sunday, April 30: Bristol to Plymouth
• The Cardiff Express, Wednesday, June 7: London to Cardiff
• The Cheshireman, Saturday, June 10: London to Chester
• The Portsmouth Flyer, Saturday, June 17: London to Portsmouth
• The Salisbury Express, Wednesday, June 21: London to Salisbury
• The Great Yarmouth Flyer, Saturday, June 24: London to Great Yarmouth
• The Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender, Friday 30th June to Tuesday 4th July: London to Edinburgh tour
• The Waverley, Sunday, July 9: York to Carlisle
• The Waverley, Sunday, August 6: York to Carlisle
• The Waverley, Sunday, September 10: York to Carlisle
• The Hadrian, Saturday 14th October: Derby to Carlisle

More information about the full Flying Scotsman centenary programme can be found on the Railway Museum website .

History of the Flying Scotsman

The Flying Scotsman is considered the most famous locomotive in the world and became the first in the UK to reach 100mph in 1934.

It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and was built in Doncaster in 1923 as part of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).

A year later, it was given the title Flying Scotsman due to the daily 10am London to Edinburgh rail service. It was chosen to appear at the British Empire Exhibition in London, which is what made the locomotive a household name.

While it is famous for its green colour, during the Second World War the Flying Scotsman was actually painted black. Following the war, it remained in service until 1963, when it was retired by British Rail.

After this, British businessman Alan Pegler purchased the Flying Scotsman. In 1969, the train travelled over to the United States as part of a publicity tour.

The tour was ultimately a financial failure, forcing Pegler into bankruptcy and leaving the locomotive stuck in the US. Fortunately in 1973, the Flying Scotsman was purchased by fellow businessman Sir William Hepburn McAlpine and returned home.

In the following years, the train completed successful tours around the UK, and even one in Australia. However, in 2004, the Flying Scotsman once again found itself in peril regarding its ownership—though was saved by the National Railway Museum amid a public campaign.

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Flying Scotsman Trips in 2023 – 100th Anniversary

The Flying Scotsman is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year with a packed programme of events that gets changed or added to from time to time. See the updates on this post.

The Railway Touring Company   (RTC)  are running the lion’s share of  day excursions in the early part of the summer, radiating out from London’s mainline stations. Then, later in the summer they switch to operating from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley travelling over the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway. These trips offer full dining (English breakfast & 3-course dinner), OR morning & afternoon tea & refreshments OR just travel in a reserved seat.

UPDATE (18/12/2023) An interesting article in the Yorkshire Post newspaper , speculating on Flying Scotsman’s future. It is mainly based on the views of rail enthusiasts in specialist forums, like this .

UPDATE  (14/12/2023) Flying Scotsman’s programme for the next year (2024) would normally have been revealed by now, or at least some of it. The  statement released a few days ago by the National Railway Museum , saying they are carefully considering Flying Scotsman’s future now that the contract with her operators is up for review, might explain the delay. They clearly are intending to operate some mainline trips in future. We just don’t know how many. Watch this space. 

UPDATE  (08/10/2023) Flying Scotsman’s excursions on 8th (today) &  10th October are now confirmed. The rest of her programme should be as listed.

UPDATE  (07/10/2023) Flying Scotsman has had her full inspection, following her shunting accident, and has been passed for mainline operation. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) says they don’t need to hold onto her for their inquiry into the accident. So the National Railway Museum has said that her  planned schedule is back on track, and had anticipated that would start with today’s  Highland Express  excursion from Edinburgh to Inverness. HOWEVER, the Amber Weather Alert for rain and floods, issued by the Met Office has triggered mainline rail cancellations. LNER are not running services north of Newcastle today (7th Oct), and no services will run between Edinburgh and Inverness tomorrow (8th October). Flying Scotsman’s schedule has been similarly affected, although the Railway Touring Company have said they are switching her route to Aberdeen for today’s excursion. Her excursions on 8th &  10th October are listed as ‘To Be Confirmed’.

UPDATE (09:40am 30/09/2023) Yesterday at 7.10pm in the evening, Flying Scotsman was involved in a “slow speed”” crash as it was being coupled with the Royal Scotsman carriages at Aviemore, home to Strathspey Railway heritage railway. The incident was serious enough that eight fire & rescue vehicles attended. Two people, a crew member and a member of the public, were taken to hospital as a precaution and later released. There is, as yet, no word on any damage to Flying Scotsman or the Royal Scotsman carriage set. Nor is it known what effect this incident will have on Flying Scotsman’s schedule. She was due to be taking trips on Strathspey Railway today and tomorrow. Her 0900 departure was cancelled, but a Strathspey Railway spokesman said they plan to operate the scheduled 1100 departure using their locomotive, Ivatt No. 46512. Flying Scotsman awaits an inspection. LATEST (11:45am) It appears the 11:00am departure was cancelled too.

UPDATE  (26/09/2023): Ticketing details for the Doncaster Stopover in November updated. 

UPDATE  (17/09/2023): Two new day excursions have been added to Flying Scotsman’s schedule in early December.

UPDATE (19/08/2023): Flying Scotsman will be on display at the National Railway Museum for Autumn half-term.

UPDATE (08/08/2023): A short weekend visit to Doncaster has been added to the programme in November.

UPDATE  (03/08/2023): ‘The Waverley’ day trip on 06 Aug has been cancelled at the last minute due to an engineering issue with Flying Scotsman. Apparently a routine inspection has revealed excessive wear in her “locomotive cylinders”.  The trip has been rescheduled for 19th November.

UPDATE  (27/07/2023): Three new dates in October.

UPDATE  (18/03/2023): Flying Scotsman at home at the National Railway Museum, 1 – 16 Apr , has now been extended to 23 April. Nine days at the beginning of August appear to have been freed up in the Flying Scotsman’s schedule by shifting her start date at the Bluebell Railway from 14 to 23 Aug. I would keep your eyes focused for an announcement on an addition to her programme  in early August,  after her  Waverley  trip on 6 Aug. AND there’s an addition in Sept. Flying Scotsman will be appearing on various dates on the Strathspey Railway.

UPDATE (02/02/2023): There are still a limited number of places on The Railway Touring Company’s Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender tour on 30th June. However, the RTC’s ten mainline day tours with Flying Scotsman have sold out and waiting lists are now in operation. *

Flying Scotsman Programme for 2023

(Last Updated: 19/11/2023)

NRM = National Railway Museum ELR = East Lancashire Railway RTC = The Railway Touring Company SDR = The Steam Dreams Rail Company KWV = Keighley and Worth Valley Railway LOC = Locomotion Museum A1 = A1 Steam Locomotive Trust MNR = Mid-Norfolk Railway BBL = Bluebell Railway Trust SRT = Swanage Railway Trust STP = Strathspey Railway

Can I buy a ticket? It’s always sold out! Flying Scotsman RTC trips generally take around 600 people, so if a new date comes up and you are quick, you are in with a chance!

Flying Scotsman – the historic locomotive

Built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works, Flying Scotsman was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class – the most powerful locomotives used by the railway. She was quickly used by LNER for their long-distance express services, notably on the long-running (62 yrs) daily 10.00am London to Edinburgh ‘Flying Scotsman’ train service after which she was named.

She still holds two world records: the longest non-stop run at 441 miles (8 Aug 1989 in Australia), and the first steam locomotive officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour (30 Nov 1934 in the UK).

Flying Scotsman   is owned by the National Railway Museum ( Review here ) and operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd.

The Flying Scotsman numbers game…

It’s easy to get confused over the identity of the ‘Flying Scotsman’  because she is sometimes referred to by different engine numbers.

When she came out of the Doncaster Works on 24th Feb (my birthday too! But I’m not yet 100!) 1923, she was Engine No. 1472.

Within a year she was re-numbered No. 4472 , given the name ‘Flying Scotsman’, and introduced to the public at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition.

Then, in 1948, when the independent rail companies were nationalised and merged into British Railways, ‘Flying Scotsman’  became No. 60103 .

Image: Flying Scotsman at Horsted Keynes on the Bluebell Railway, 18 April 2017 – Nigel Menzies ( CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 )

* If you have missed out on travelling with the Flying Scotsman this year, RTC are operating over 50 mainline steam journeys this year using other historic steam locomotives. Eg. The 1927-built 46115 Scots Guardsmen is due to haul trains across the Settle & Carlisle Line.  At 96 years old, Scots Guardsman is only a few years behind Flying Scotsman and has its own unique history as the star of the 1936 GPO film ‘Night Mail’. The 1938-built locomotive Princess Coronation Class Pacific 46233 Duchess of Sutherland will also be put through her paces working a number of RTC’s trains, as will 34067 Tangmere , 35028 Clan Line , 35018 British India Line and Black 5 No. 44932.

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23 Comments

Join the conversation →.

My family and I are planning a trip to England (from Florida!!) just to ride the Flying Scotsman on my son’s birthday 11/19/23. I check every day for ticket availability and there is never any available. I need 4. Is there another place I can buy tickets for that ride? I am desperate to make my son’s dream come true…..

I don’t think I can offer any comfort on this one. RTC are the only ticket source. It’s their train. I’m sure The Waverley trip on the 19th Nov is sold out and there is probably a wait list. You might see if you can get on it, there are always last minute cancellations (people’s plans change). You might try their website chat ( https://www.railwaytouring.net/ ). I don’t think it is an AI bot. Even better would be to phone them +44 1553 661 500. They can at least tell you what the chances are.

Failing that, there are other steam engines, though the chances of finding a mainline ride at this stage are slim. Steam Dreams for example have a steam trip from London to York the day before (18 Nov) but it is already sold out. Again, there might be a waitlist. The fall-back might be to visit one of the heritage railways (they have their own tracks & trains). For example, I see Bluebell Railway has a ‘ festive trip ‘ on 23 Nov.

I can’t find a simple list of the principle heritage railways (I might draw one up myself), but here’s a map that might give you an idea of what’s out there.

Trying to book tickets for the flying Scotsman Wednesday 17th December express The Worcester Christmas ex press Mechtraveller

Jane jones 15 foxes way comberton cambridge cb23 7 dl

07532700445

Hi Jane, there isn’t an excursion on 17 Dec that I’m aware of, yet. You may have read “New 17/09/23” as 17 Dec, but this is the date I listed it. I’m not an agent btw. Any tickets would have to be booked with Railway Touring Company

I work at a retirement home in Colchester Essex and have a lady whose wish is to go on the flying Scotsman. Is there anything up coming in London I could possibly book? It would absolutely mean the world to her. Many thanks!

Hi Sarah, Sadly I don’t see any London events in this year’s programme (that could change, but unlikely), and next year’s programme hasn’t been announced yet.

Has there been any update in the tickets for the Doncaster visit, would love to take my dad

Hi Abbie, No I haven’t seen anything yet. They have slipped in a half-term appearance at the National Railway Museum over the half term (before Doncaster) but nothing yet on Doncaster or ticketing. It can’t be long, the mayor of Doncaster announced it with great aplomb! 😉

No problem at all. Thank you for the update

Any tickets left for August 11 th to 12 th to see flying scotsman at doncaster please

You mean November 11 – 12th, yes? No, sorry. There’s no info yet. The mayor of Doncaster announced the dates ( https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/News/flying-scotsman-is-coming-home ), but it hasn’t yet appeared on the NRM Flying Scotsman site ( https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme ). I would watch that closely so you can nab some tickets as soon as they go sale.

one trip in the southwest but thenanywhere west of london does not exist

As I recall, there were a lot of complaints that the original schedule didn’t go any further north than Edinburgh. They addressed them by adding the Weekender trip to Aberdeen at the end of June. If enough people complain that the Southwest is being short-changed, maybe there could be another tweak to the schedule.

Definitely a pattern there as per usual, it’s all about London.

Very Disappointing there will not be a stop during Centenary year at Doncaster the Birth Place of the Flying Scotsman.

Yes. Hard to fathom. Did you see the Unherd article about the Flying Scotsman heritage and its future possible role in bringing GBR HQ to Doncaster? https://unherd.com/2023/01/flying-scotsman-could-save-doncaster/

….and, a rather unconvincing article in the Yorkshire Post about reasons for not including Doncaster:

Disappointing to see that Flying Scotsman is only making one trip to Scotland, but not surprising. About time organisers realise that there is a world north of the border and offer more than just a token gesture. Very poor!

Yeah, I agree. It’s surprising since that is pretty much what she was built for!

same with the southwest the country ends at bristol

Only one trip to Scotland and nothing on the West Coast line. Very disappointing.

Flying Scotsman will always be number 4472 to me, that’s the number I grew up with and I’m now 68.

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News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

Flying Scotsman 100th birthday tour revealed – with York playing a key role

Fri 14 Oct 2022  @ 12:13pm YorkMix News

Full details of the celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of legendary loco Flying Scotsman have now been revealed.

The National Railway Museum in York is putting the engine on show at Easter 2023, when it will also launch a cutting-edge VR experience.

And Flying Scotsman will go out on tour, including visits to various heritage railways.

February 2023 will mark 100 years since the celebrity locomotive – then simply numbered 1472 – embarked on its first voyage from the sheds at Doncaster Works.

And the celebrations will kick off tomorrow as Flying Scotsman sits in steam at King’s Cross, London, for the station’s 170th anniversary. It will be there for two days (15 and 16 October).

At the National Railway Museum in York, an exhibition,  Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices , launches on 10 February 2023.

It will showcase documents, photographs and stories from the museum’s archives as well as from a recent public call-out. A specially commissioned exhibition film will cement the legacy of the locomotive through the lives it touched.

The NRM’s Flying Scotsman Centenary Celebration runs from 1 – 16 April 2023 .

Go along for this rare chance to see Flying Scotsman at the museum, which owns the loco.

And from 1 April, visitors can enjoy “a stunning new virtual reality immersive experience”.

Flying Scotsman VR takes people on a journey back in time and around the world as they join the greatest moments in the locomotive’s past 100 years.

The museum says: “Celebrating engineering brilliance and exploring the science behind steam power, this is a multisensory experience using cutting-edge technology to bring Flying Scotsman’s stories to life right in front of you.”

And you can see the Flying Scotsman on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire between 1 and 24 May 2023 .

You can check out all the Flying Scotsman plans on the museum’s centenary calendar here .

[tptn_list limit=3 daily=1 hour_range=1]

Flying Scotsman 2023 trips announced as iconic train celebrates 100th anniversary - how to get tickets

The public will be able to ride the most famous steam locomotive in the world on trips around the UK.

• 11:46, 10 JAN 2023

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The Flying Scotsman will be completing a number of special trips across the UK as part of its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Most famous for its daily rail service between London and Edinburgh , the locomotive was constructed in 1923. Celebrating its long and storied history, the public will be able to ride the iconic train this year as it completes day trips around the country.

Among the routes included are the Portsmouth Flyer, which will journey from London Victoria to Portsmouth, and the Great Yarmouth Flyer from London King's Cross through the rural landscapes of the Fens and Norfolk.

The highlight of the programme, however, is the Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender from June 30 to July 4, a weekend tour from London to Edinburgh via York. Included in the Standard Class price is a one-night stay in a York hotel and three nights in an Edinburgh hotel.

If you can afford Premier Class, you will also receive five breakfasts and four lunches, as well as reserved seating in First Class coaches. Tickets can be purchased from The Railway Touring Company website .

As part of the centenary, there will also be exhibitions celebrating the history of the iconic locomotive, as well as a special Centenary Festival. This will include hands-on activities and drop-in workshops, and will be held at the Locomotion railway museum in Shildon.

Flying Scotsman 2023 programme

• The Royal Duchy, Sunday, April 30: Bristol to Plymouth
• The Cardiff Express, Wednesday, June 7: London to Cardiff
• The Cheshireman, Saturday, June 10: London to Chester
• The Portsmouth Flyer, Saturday, June 17: London to Portsmouth
• The Salisbury Express, Wednesday, June 21: London to Salisbury
• The Great Yarmouth Flyer, Saturday, June 24: London to Great Yarmouth
• The Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender, Friday 30th June to Tuesday 4th July: London to Edinburgh tour
• The Waverley, Sunday, July 9: York to Carlisle
• The Waverley, Sunday, August 6: York to Carlisle
• The Waverley, Sunday, September 10: York to Carlisle
• The Hadrian, Saturday 14th October: Derby to Carlisle

More information about the full Flying Scotsman centenary programme can be found on the Railway Museum website .

History of the Flying Scotsman

The Flying Scotsman is considered the most famous locomotive in the world and became the first in the UK to reach 100mph in 1934.

It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and was built in Doncaster in 1923 as part of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).

A year later, it was given the title Flying Scotsman due to the daily 10am London to Edinburgh rail service. It was chosen to appear at the British Empire Exhibition in London, which is what made the locomotive a household name.

While it is famous for its green colour, during the Second World War the Flying Scotsman was actually painted black. Following the war, it remained in service until 1963, when it was retired by British Rail.

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After this, British businessman Alan Pegler purchased the Flying Scotsman. In 1969, the train travelled over to the United States as part of a publicity tour.

The tour was ultimately a financial failure, forcing Pegler into bankruptcy and leaving the locomotive stuck in the US. Fortunately in 1973, the Flying Scotsman was purchased by fellow businessman Sir William Hepburn McAlpine and returned home.

In the following years, the train completed successful tours around the UK, and even one in Australia. However, in 2004, the Flying Scotsman once again found itself in peril regarding its ownership—though was saved by the National Railway Museum amid a public campaign.

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Flying Scotsman in Scotland

Flying scotsman completes centenary tours in scotland.

Four main line steam journeys with 60103 Flying Scotsman went ahead from Edinburgh Waverley on October 7, 8 and 10, despite adverse weather conditions. Organised in conjunction with the National Railway Museum, the trains gave passengers the opportunity to travel Scotland’s main lines with the famous locomotive during its Centenary year.

Flying Scotsman’s tours in Scotland finished on Tuesday, October 10, when the one-hundred-year-old locomotive hauled our ‘Aberdeen Flyer’ from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen and back.

On Saturday, October 7, ‘The Highland Express’, which was due to be hauled from Edinburgh to Inverness by diesel and then by Flying Scotsman on the return, could not run on the Highland Line as the line was closed due to adverse weather. We worked with Network Rail Scotland through Friday evening to re-route this train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen hauled by Flying Scotsman on both the outward and return.

On Sunday, October 8, ‘The Fife Circulars’ in the morning and the afternoon were able to run with Flying Scotsman at their head. 

Commenting on the journeys with 60103 Flying Scotsman, our MD Kelly Osborne said: “It was a challenging few days for all involved in these special Centenary main line excursions and we want to thank everyone who enabled us to continue with the planned trains. The support crew and engineering team involved with Flying Scotsman from Riley & Son (E) Ltd Locomotive Engineers did an amazing job working tirelessly.

“Our operating team West Coast Railways have, as always, provided us with the opportunity to deliver these wonderful steam hauled experiences for our customers.

“The onboard volunteer stewards and staff, along with the wonderful team from Gravy Train Catering, worked hard to ensure our customers were well looked after on board.

“We want to thank all our customers. Their support, understanding and appreciation for the efforts made have been much welcomed by the team.

“Our thanks also to Network Rail Scotland, Network Rail and the National Railway Museum for supporting us.”

These trains took 980 passengers on a journey to remember as they travelled through scenic Scotland. Steaming across the famous Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a highlight of each tour.

Image credit SnappitySnaps Photography

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The Flying Scotsman and an ‘elephant’ in Berlin: Tuesday’s best photos

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The Guardian’s picture editors select photo highlights from around the world

Tue 10 Oct 2023 13.18 BST Last modified on Tue 10 Oct 2023 16.00 BST

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After a major overhaul in 2022, the newly-restored Flying Scotman is ready for action.  2023 marked the centenary year for this iconic steam locomotive and there were a series of events to celebrate. 

Make sure you don't miss the chance to see the one of fastest steam trains in action with a wonderful short break. 

If you wish to pre-register, the click  here for 2024 coach tours. 

Most steam train trips include coach travel, a hotel stay and a journey behind the Scotsman  on a heritage railway.

History of the Steam Train

The legendary  Flying Scotsman train  has been back on the rails since 2016, after it's £4.2 million refurbishment.

Originally built in Doncaster, the Scotsman launched in 1923 and was one of the most powerful locomotives used on the Railway. 

The locomotive continued to achieve a number of firsts throughout its career. Officially the first locomotive in the UK to clock 100mph on a special test run. It also ran the first ever non-stop service from London to Edinburgh with a journey time of just eight hours. Another more recent record obtained, is the oldest mainline working locomotive on Britain's tracks.

During the Second World War the iconic green paint was repainted black, which was a common theme with all railway stock. It was retired from service by the British Rail in 1963, as steam engines were becoming old-fashioned. After retirement, the train changed ownership several times. The locomotive was also taken to the United States of America and Australia before returning back to the UK.

Since it was officially launched to the public again in 2016, the Flying Scotsman has been touring around the UK and appearing at the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shilton. This popular locomotive has earned itself a generation of Scotsman fans. 

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We're open seven days a week. Book your free admission ticket now to visit the museum. 

Schools and groups can book free tickets here .

Station Hall and other parts of our museum are closed, please  check the Visit page for the latest info about closures .

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Flying scotsman excursion: portsmouth flyer.

A scenic journey from London Victoria to Portsmouth.

About the trip

This is a scenic journey from London Victoria  to the attractive city of Portsmouth.

Plan your visit

This event takes place with Railway Touring Company.

Book tickets, plan your journey and find out more.

Photo credit: Bob Green

Scheduled dates may be subject to change and new events will be announced.  Sign up for the Flying Scotsman newsletter to find out more.

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