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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Louisa Streeting

Flying Scotsman will be in Bristol this weekend for special centenary trip

One of the world's most famous locomotives will be beginning a special centenary trip from Bristol this weekend. Flying Scotsman, the first locomotive in the UK to clock 100mph, will be pulling up into Bristol Temple Meads for the first time in many years. The last time the historic train passed through the city was in 2018 on its way from Exeter.

It first entered passenger service on February 24, 1923 and has been celebrating its 100th birthday with a string of dates around the UK. The train will be in Bristol on Sunday (April 30).

The 1923 steam 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. It is expected to attract thousands of train enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of what is regarded as the embodiment of Britain's Golden Age of steam-powered engineering.

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A spokesperson for the Railway Touring Company - which operates the Flying Scotsman - told CornwallLive that the train will depart from Bristol Temple Meads before picking up new passengers at Yatton and Taunton, continuing down through the Westcountry. The route includes travelling along the famous sea wall at Dawlish as well as crossing Brunel’s famous Saltash Bridge into Cornwall.

The Flying Scotsman from St Annes looking to St Phillips rail yard as the steam locomotive leaves Bristol (Paul Gillis)

Explaining the route, they explained: "Almost immediately on departure from Taunton, our steam locomotive will be working hard as it tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit. We will stop at Exeter St David’s station for our locomotive to take on water and for more passengers to join the train. We'll then leave Exeter and follow the Exe Estuary to the seaside and travel along the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth which is an experience not to be missed.

"After Newton Abbot, our steam locomotive will demonstrate her real strength as she powers up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country. First there is the difficult climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, followed by a dramatic drop down to Totnes, then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth.

"We'll leave Plymouth, diesel hauled, and cross the river Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, to enter Cornwall. Our train will continue through the magnificent Cornish countryside to Par."

When the locomotive visited in 2018, many people lined the platforms at Temple Meads and Bedminster railway stations to catch a glimpse of the train steaming through the city. The latest excursion on Sunday is fully booked with a waiting list in operation and fares starting from £185 per person.

For public safety reasons, no timings have been made available by the Railway Touring Company for public viewing due to safety concerns

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