25.02.16
Full steam ahead for Flying Scotsman’s London to York return
The Flying Scotsman returned to British railways today in a journey from London to York after a 10-year restoration project.
The legendary steam train, which was the first UK train to reach 100mph in 1934, will now go on display at York’s National Railway Museum until 6 March, sponsored by Virgin Trains.
Virgin received permission from the Office of Rail and Road last week to introduce 42 new services a week on the Flying Scotsman’s original London to Edinburgh route and is introducing £40m improvements to its East Coast fleet, including new seats, carpets and lighting.
David Horne, managing director of Virgin Trains on its East Coast route, said: “The Flying Scotsman has an incredible history. In the pre-war era, it symbolised speed and style - service qualities which remain important to our customers today.”
The Flying Scotsman embarked on its journey from King’s Cross at 07.40am today and arrived in York at 1.20pm.
It was almost an hour late because the crowds by the railway line were so large that around 60 trespassers spilled onto the track near St Neots.
It also stopped north of Doncaster after rumours of a second trespassing incident, which were found to be false.
The train was retired in 1963 and bought by the National Railway Museum in York in 2004 for £2.3m. It was restored by Bury engineers Riley & Son for £4m and was originally due to return to the rails by the end of last year.
It will carry out a programme of trips until September, with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Steam Dreams, the Railway Touring Company and Severn Valley Railway.