Welcoming Home Flying Scotsman

Flying Scotsman, the most famous steam locomotive in the world, has marked her centenary by making an emotional return to the city, where she was built one hundred years ago.

Arriving at Doncaster Railway Station to a warm welcome from invited guests, civic dignitaries and family members who share proud links with the famous locomotive, Flying Scotsman took pride of place on Platform 4 for her visit. In 1923, Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive built at the Doncaster Works by the then newly formed LNER, which also celebrates its centenary this year.

City of Doncaster Council and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) hosted the special visit, with support from the National Railway Museum.

In forty years of service, Flying Scotsman broke numerous world speed and distance records and was one of the famous locomotives introduced by LNER during its century of service on the East Coast Main Line, connecting the capitals of England and Scotland. Flying Scotsman went into service on 24 February 1923 and cost £7,944 to build. She was the first locomotive to officially reach 100mph in the UK, and the first to circumnavigate the globe.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “I am delighted to welcome Flying Scotsman back home to her birthplace here in Doncaster. We are incredibly proud of our rail heritage and we will always be associated with this iconic locomotive.

“We are looking forward to another visit later this year, where Flying Scotsman will be here in Doncaster once again and members of the public will have the chance to see the locomotive up close. More details about this will be shared in the coming weeks.

“I would like to thank LNER for hosting this wonderful event today and we congratulate them for 100 years of history. I would also like to thank the National Railway Museum for their support.”

David Horne, LNER Managing Director, said: “This is a proud day for Doncaster and a proud day for us here at LNER, welcoming Flying Scotsman back to the city where she was built in her centenary year. Over the past century LNER has pushed boundaries to create ever greater feats of engineering, speed, comfort and customer service, while improving journeys between London to Scotland. Flying Scotsman is part of that rich heritage and that pioneering spirit continues in LNER today as we look to provide our customers with the best possible travel experience.”

Also in attendance on Platform 4 was Molly Jackson whose father was a proud part of LNER’s past. Wilston Samuel Jackson became Britain’s first black train driver in 1962 and enjoyed a long and successful career on the railway, driving famous locomotives for LNER including Flying Scotsman.