The legendary Flying Scotsman locomotive was seen shooting through Eccles whilst transferring to York’s National Railways Museum, this weekend.
The 60103 train was greeted at Eccles station at midday yesterday (12:18) to crowds of enthusiasts, whilst en-route to the museum from its previous home on the East Lancashire Railway.
The move is part of a year of events celebrating the train’s centenary anniversary. Last month, dancers and poets came together to celebrate the occasion in Edinburgh.
Families, children, enthusiasts and photographers gathered to welcome the historic vehicle, which holds the record for hauling the first ever non-stop London to Edinburgh service in 1928.
Video credit: Steve Howells
Departing Bury at 11:12, the locomotive passed through Castleton (11:51), Manchester Victoria (12:07), Eccles (12:18), Wigan North Western (12:45), Preston (Lancs) (13:09), Lancaster (13:36), Carnforth (14:38), Hellifield (15:32), Skipton (16:18), Keighley (16:33), Shipley (16:49), Castleford (17:46), Hatfield and Stainforth (18:52), York (19:53) and York NRM at 20:08.
The Flying Scotsman was also the first locomotive to reach 100mph in 1934 and the first steam engine to travel all around the world (with visits to the USA and Australia).
Entering service on February 24 1923, the Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway.
After running throughout the Second World War and featuring in hundreds of publicity events, the Scotsman was retired by British Railway in 1963.
Since then, the train has undergone numerous restoration works, international tours and journeys across the UK, arguably becoming one of the world’s most famous locomotives.
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