Train enthusiasts are preparing to catch sight of Flying Scotsman set to depart from Bristol on Sunday (April 30). The world famous train, hauled by locomotive No.60103 will leave Bristol Temple Meads for its Royal Duchy trip and make its journey down west into Cornwall before returning to Bristol.
A spokesperson for the Railway Touring Company - which operates the Flying Scotsman - said that the train will depart from Bristol Temple Meads before picking up new passengers at Yatton and Taunton, continuing down through the Westcountry. It will stop at Exeter St David’s station so the locomotive can take on water and passengers before heading to the famous sea wall at Dawlish as well as crossing Brunel’s famous Saltash Bridge into Cornwall.
Timings have not been released to the public due to safety concerns and prevent overcrowding. People should take extra care if they're planning to catch a glimpse of the locomotive at a railway station or bridge and ensure everyone is safe around you.
Read more: Flying Scotsman will be in Bristol this weekend for special centenary trip
Anyone found guilty of trespassing on the railway could face a prison sentence, a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, not to mention placing themselves at risk of injury or death. Check out the best spots to watch from a distance in Bristol:
Bath Road Bridge
Flying Scotsman will pass under Bath Road Bridge after leaving Temple Meads Station, but you’ll have to be quite tall if you want to catch a glimpse of the train as the bridge has barriers on either side of it.
Bottom of Victoria Park
Victoria Park is home to a lot of trees but if you stand in the right place you’ll be able to see the train as it goes past as well as being in a less restricted space.
Bedminster Down Station
Another station which will provide a brilliant view of the train as it whizzes by is Bedminster Down. Again, it’s likely that both platforms will get quite crowded so leave plenty of time if you plan to use it as your vantage point of choice.
Parson Street Station
Both platforms at Parson Street will no doubt be packed with people hoping to get a glimpse of the train as it goes past, and no wonder as the station will be one of the best places in the city to see the train, so make sure you get there early if you want to bag yourself a good spot.
The A38 bridge
Just past Parson Street is the A38 bridge, which will provide a cracking view of the train. As with any busy bridge, make sure you are safe and keep an eye out for cars at all times.
Keep safe if you're heading out to find a viewpoint of the locomotive.
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