Flying Scotsman to attend Shildon gala

Flying Scotsman has been announced as the second guest locomotive at Locomotion: The NRM at Shildon’s ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ on September 16/17.


Shortly to return, ‘A3’ No. 60103 Flying Scotsman is pictured at Locomotion: The NRM at Shildon in July 2016. NRM

The ‘A3’ will arrive at the National Railway Museum’s Shildon outpost just days after having made its long-awaited visit to the West Somerset Railway on September 5-12, and will line up alongside previously announced BR Standard ‘2MT’ No. 78018.

Gary Campbell, Locomotion Museum Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide a chance to view this iconic locomotive. Flying Scotsman has attracted thousands of visitors since its inaugural run in 2016 and we look forward to the locomotive making an appearance at Shildon which is steeped in railway history.”

The ‘A3’ and ‘2MT’ won’t be the only locomotives on display at the museum during the event, as Furness Railway No. 20 – the oldest operational standard gauge steam locomotive in the UK – will be working passenger trains on the museum’s short demonstration line. Further Shildon locomotive exhibits will also be on outdoor display.

After starring at Shildon’s ‘Autumn Steam Gala’, No. 60103 will be attending Barrow Hill Roundhouse’s ‘Grand Re-Opening Gala’ on September 21-24, in which it will be reunited with new-build ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado and the NRM’s replica of Stephenson’s Rocket. It will be Flying Scotsman’s first visit to Barrow Hill since a BR Open Day in 1974.

The Gresley ‘Pacific’ has been busy this year - visiting the Bluebell and Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s, as well as the Crewe Heritage Centre - and is due to make an appearance at the Didcot Railway Centre on August 26-28.

Locomotive appearances at the ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ event are subject to availability, and the museum reserves the right to change the programme.

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon is open from 10am to 5pm daily, and admission is free of charge. For more information, please check Locomotion’s social media channels or call the museum team on 01904 685780.

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