Flying Scotsman Centenary

We have announced a series of 2023 mainline steam tour dates with 60103 Flying Scotsman. The days out in the company of the world’s most famous steam locomotive are part of Flying Scotsman’s centenary celebrations organised by the National Railway Museum.

The National Railway Museum’s Flying Scotsman centenary plans were launched with an appearance of the iconic locomotive at Kings Cross Station on Friday, October 14, to tie in with the station’s own 170^th anniversary. The Museum revealed a calendar of Flying Scotsman events for 2023 on their website.

Officially the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph, 60103 Flying Scotsman was built at Doncaster in 1922. Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built for the LNER, the locomotive was named ‘Flying Scotsman’ in 1923 and continued in regular service until 1963 and then later in preservation. Today, it is owned by the National Railway Museum in York and is operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd. 

We are delighted to be working with the National Railway Museum to put Flying Scotsman through its paces on the mainline in 2023. Nine mainline dates have been launched with more to follow. Dates announced so far are:

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

“The Railway Touring Company is very excited to be working in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Riley & Son and operator West Coast Railways Company for the 2023 celebrations,” said The Railway Touring Company’s MD Kelly Osborne. “With kind assistance from all involved, we have designed a programme of mainline steam day tours that will take Flying Scotsman to many parts of England, Scotland and Wales. We hope rail enthusiasts young and old will join us on board for a memorable day out.”

The National Railway Museum’s Centenary programme is packed with events and activities, which people can now explore and book online. During 2023, as well as days out on the mainline, Flying Scotsman can be seen at free static events at the National Railway Museum and other locations. The iconic loco will also be in action at a number of heritage railways around the UK and at Locomotion in Shildon.

In addition, one of the UK’s best loved authors Michael Morpurgo has written a new children’s book Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever to mark the anniversary.

The Flying Scotsman Centenary Programme has been generously supported by Hornby and has been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.