Rail enthusiasts are in for a treat this weekend as ‘Flying Scotsman’ returns to the Great Western mainline.
The world-famous steam locomotive is making its first journey in 2022, when it hauls the Cotswold Venturer train from London to Worcester and return tomorrow (March 5).
Flying Scotsman was originally scheduled to haul the special train on February 19, but that was postponed due to the damage caused by Storm Eunice. Which resulted in widespread disruption on the country’s railways.
However, tour operator The Railway Touring Company was quick to rearrange the trip.
‘Flying Scotsman’ was built at Doncaster works in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway and was withdrawn from service in January 1963. The engine is currently owned by the National Railway Museum.
This trip is currently sechduled to be one of Flying Scotsman's only trips of 2022 as the engine to due to be withdrawal for overhaul later this year.
According to the website Realtimetrains, the locomotive is scheduled to past through Swindon at 18:27 on platform 1.
The Doncaster built locomotive is famous as it is officially the first steam locomotive to hit 100mph, which it achieved in 1934.
It is due to head to Worcester using the following route: London Paddington, Oxford, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Evesham before arriving at Worcester.
It will return to London using the Golden Valley route via Cheltenham, Kemble, before re-joining the GW mainline at Swindon.
Once again, people are being warned to be careful and not to trespass, when out and about.
A spokesperson for Network Rail, said: “Seeing the Flying Scotsman is an exciting event for many people and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the occasion, so we can’t stress enough how important it is to keep safe at the same time.
“It’s vital that you watch from a safe distance and don’t go on or near the tracks.
“Trespassing on the railway is incredibly dangerous and can have devastating consequences, as well as being illegal. You could face a fine of up to £1,000 and be left with a criminal record.
“Please remember to watch from a distance and behave responsibly so that everyone is able to safely enjoy the sight of the historic locomotive.
A British Transport Police spokesperson added: “Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous and we see hundreds of people taking risks on and around the tracks every year, resulting in tragic consequences or life-changing injuries.
Full timings for outward and return journeys can be found below.
Got any photos or videos of Flying Scotsman coming through Swindon?
Send us your photos and videos to jack.simpson@newsquest.co.uk
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