The iconic Flying Scotsman today surprised travellers at Edinburgh Waverley station where it made a fleeting appearance - to mark its 100th birthday.
The historic old train was the first non-stop service between Edinburgh and London and proved to be extremely popular with travellers. It has now made its way up to Scotland as the National Railway Museum marks its 100th anniversary with a new poem and events through the UK.
Flying Scotsman fans can see the locomotive from platform two at Waverley Station before it heads off back down south at 12.50pm on Friday February 24.
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Many locals spotted the locomotive over the last couple of days while thick smoke billowed out of the top while it made its way to Edinburgh Waverley from Doncaster Works.
One Edinburgh man saw it resting at Craigentinny depot over the last couple of days and others saw it past Joppa.
To mark the occasion, a reading of Simon Armitage's new poem The Making of Flying Scotsman will take place at Waverley whilst dancers from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society are performing ‘The Flying Scotsman’, devised by Hugh Thurston in 1966. The event will be rounded off with a performance from Celtic rock band, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive of the newly formed LNER (London and North Eastern Railway) and originally numbered 1472. It was given its name in 1924 after the daily 10am London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley rail service.
The locomotive went on to operate in service until 1963 and later in preservation, which included tours of the USA, Canada and Australia, where it captured the hearts of millions.
Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, said: “Edinburgh Waverley is a fitting location to mark the centenary of the world’s most famous express passenger locomotive. It was here that Flying Scotsman completed its record-breaking, non-stop journey between London and Edinburgh in 1928 and Edinburgh is also the birthplace of Sir Nigel Gresley, Flying Scotsman’s designer.
"Today, Flying Scotsman is an undoubted star of the National Railway Museum’s collection and is recognised around the world as a triumph of British ingenuity and engineering.
“Flying Scotsman will now spend the rest of the year travelling across the country to give people the chance to see the engine for themselves and to take part in this special anniversary, from free static displays to rail tours to the Centenary Festival at Locomotion.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, added: “In 2004, we supported the National Railway Museum in acquiring the majestic Flying Scotsman and placing it in the care of the national collection to make it publicly accessible forever and we later contributed towards its preservation. That is why it is so wonderful to be celebrating its centenary in Edinburgh and knowing that this much-loved heritage icon will be seen right across the UK in the coming year, bringing joy and wonder to all!”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, continued: “Edinburgh Waverley was honoured to host a visit from Flying Scotsman on such a special occasion and our team has pulled out all the stops for this special occasion. The most famous steam locomotive in the world always draws a crowd.
"Visitors to Princes Street Gardens, just across the road from Waverley, will see a familiar Flying Scotsman theme when the world’s oldest Floral Clock blooms later this year too. Make sure to pop in to see it while on your way to the station.”
Simon Kohler, Marketing & Development Director of Hornby, said: “Quite a few years ago I managed to persuade my then CEO that Hornby should create a suite of tools that would allow us to produce as many variants of Flying Scotsman as possible. Through these models, Hornby has had the privilege of forging a strong relationship with both the NRM and the Science Museum. We are proud and honoured to be part of Flying Scotsman’s centenary celebrations.”
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