The Flying Scotsman

[cessna152towser]

On Friday I was invited to the unveiling of the newly overhauled Flying Scotsman at the National Railway Museum in York.
My train journey began at Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station, built on the site of the original castle. The Borough of Berwick changed hands between Scotland and England several times through the ages, it is a legacy of history that today the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed is the only few square miles of England which encroaches north of the River Tweed, while the remainder of the county of Berwickshire is part of Scotland.

It is important to distinguish the train Flying Scotsman from the steam locomotive of the same name. The train which soon became known as the Flying Scotsman was introduced in 1852 and reduced the journey time from Edinburgh to London from 48 hours by stagecoach to ten and a half hours by train. In the nineteen twenties the name "Flying Scotsman" was officially adopted for the 10 o'clock departure in each direction and a new steam locomotive also took the name "Flying Scotsman". Today there is a frequent service of modern electric trains travelling the route of the Flying Scotsman with the 10:00 departure being titled Flying Scotsman and completing the journey in under five hours.

Immediately after departure we cross the River Tweed by the Royal Border Bridge. On left is Berwick-upon-Tweed while on the right or south bank is Tweedmouth.

In recent years it has become a tradition for many Scottish stag and hen parties to consist of a wild weekend in "The Toon" - the northern English city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Here the train has arrived there and the young set from Scotland pour out to invade Newcastle and enjoy the city lights.

Arriving in York, the skirl of the pipes could be heard outside the National Railway Museum.

Piper Ed Arnold from Sheffield was on hand to pipe the guests into the museum.

Guess what was under the curtain.

All will be revealed - yes its a steam locomotive.

Flying Scotsman unveiled.
This locomotive ran in service until 1963 and was then privately preserved until bought by the National Railway Museum in 2004. Private sponsorship, including my small contribution, has now enabled the NRM to restore the locomotive to full working order.

Scotsman and Flying Scotsman. The number 502 carried on this side is a short lived identity which was only worn from January 1946 to May 1946.
The engine will be displayed in its wartime black colour as a memorial to the fallen of World War 2, until August of this year when it will be re-painted in the more familiar Apple Green colour scheme which it carried during its visits to USA and Australia.

[McClef]

Good to see it back together - it was in pieces when I visited 3 years ago.

And it's dangerous to be kilted in York - some old law allows them to kill Scots with a bow and arrow!

[ForresterModern]

Excellent photos and coverage of the original Flying Scotsman by our very own "Flying" Scotsman. Well done.

[artificer]

Great pix, Alex!

I got a bit of a shock at the unveiling of Flying Scotsman when I saw it in the wartime black. I assume the tender displays only the "NE" appropriate for the era as well? It would appear so from the last image.

It's a splendid remembrance for all those lost in the war. That said, I do feel sorry for the chaps who'll have to go back and re-line by hand all the trim when she's repainted in the LNER Apple Green (which is my favorite scheme).

I love the intricate paint schemes the Big Four had for their express passenger services. Say what you will about the efficiencies of diesel or electric, it's awfully hard to beat the splendor of a fully liveried LMS or LNER express train steaming into a station.

Thank you for these, it looks like a wonderful day out.

[tripleblessed]

As always, Alex, thanks for sharing your life so generously. I grew up about half a mile from one of the last teaching shops for training steam crews in the deep South, and that sound is still a part of me.

[Spartan Tartan]

You have some of the greatest posts! Great pictures.

[Chirs]

Thank you

[Highlander31]

Nice photos, Alex. Once again, you have given us an interesting and enjoyable travelogue.

[theborderer]

Alex, your photos are always a pleasure to look at. The start of your journey certainly brings back memories. I served in the Barracks, Berwick upon Tweed, which was the only Training Depot of a Scottish Regiment (Kings Own Scottish Borderers) in England.Thank you once again for a fantastic set of Photos.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Very nice photos, Alex. Thank you for sharing them.


Best,

Robert