Flying Scotsman Main Line Railtours Autumn 2026

Thanks good news that the flying Scotsman is running.

There are no trains between Birmingham new street and Cheltenham Spa currently.
Is the flying Scotsman running on a different route?
Apparently loss of signalling at Abbotswood?

 

A points failure at Gloucester and a signalling failure at Cheltenham are causing chaos this morning. Both charters running on time so far, but neither has reached the affected area yet. Scotsman just went through Worcester and the RTC one is approaching New Street. I'm just heading off now to Worcestershire Parkway to board the RTC one. Might be a fun morning!

 

Scotsman being held at Abbotswood Jn. Can see it from Parkway. Been held there for 30 mins now. Waiting for my RTC one now

 

I wish I was on both of those tours. They sound good. Sorry to hear about the disruption.
I wonder why there was no attempt by network rail to hold the flying Scotsman tour at a station? The signalling at abbotswood has been down all morning.
It seems unfair to hold a train full of passengers in a middle of a field?

 

RTC tour being held at Bromsgrove

 

Scotsman now leaving Abbotswood, an hour late

 

Rodent damage to signalling cables at Wadborough between Cheltenham & Worcester. I kid thee not. <BJ>

Incident: Gloucester | National Rail

 

Arrived at BTM on the RTC tour just as Scotsmam was leaving

 

Abbotswood junction has been down since 11pm last night, I got stuck coming back to Cheltenham from Kidderminster, ended up being a taxi job. I think NR got some MOMs out to wind the points and manually operate the level crossings to get Scotsman through but took quite a while to find enough staff and get them there.

Sent from my PGT-N19 using Tapatalk

 

Well assuming you could rely on GWR actually running their services. they could have gone to London for the afternoon

 

Absolutely flew through Kidderminster this morning, really was some sight. Station was packed, even at 7am - the draw of this engine never ceases to amaze me. There were loads of youngsters too, all thrilled by the sight of a mainline steam loco belting past at 60mph+, brilliant!!

 

I would suggest if you held the tour at a station you would not be unlocking the doors, in case you can suddenly get to leave, so little difference to me.
Lat thing you want to be doing is trying to "round up" a train load of pax.

 

Soon after leaving Bristol, Flying Scotsman flew through Flax Bourton at speed, the 37 just ticking over. The tour stopped briefly at Bishops Lydeard before continuing on to Minehead.
A few spins from the driving wheels, not surprising hauling 11 coaches and a class 37, but a very impressive departure. Again, the 37 appeared to be just idling. <BJ>

 

60103 crosses the Somerset Levels near Bridgwater.https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/55537858385/in/dateposted-public/

 

Here's my footage of Flying Scotsman hauling the 2 tours to Bristol and Minehead respectively. I filmed her at Eckington Foot Crossing (During the signalling failure fiasco), Charfield foot crossing and nearly bowled at Brent Knoll. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Makes a change from cable thieves.

 

Badger ate a junction box?

(IYKYK )

 

There is a lack of timings for this trip to Newcastle on Wednesday on RTT, the last one last week they were available Monday night

 

The policy now is to hold trains at stations. I was held at Bristol Parkway less than 45mins after a suicide at Twyford on Monday last week.

 

Now showing on Rail Record

1Z31 Chesterfield to York
https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U02936&d=2026-09-23

1Z32 York to Newcastle
https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U02937&d=2026-09-23

1Z33 Newcastle to York
https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U02940&d=2026-09-23

1Z34 York to Chesterfield
https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U02943&d=2026-09-23