Iconic loco is back
ONE of the world’s most famous steam locomotives made a triumphant return to the Valley.
The Flying Scotsman was once again running on the East Lancashire Railway this weekend from October 13 to 16.
The engine was resplendent in its BR Brunswick Green livery instead of its black undercoat.
The event generated more than £200,000 for the East Lancashire Railway through ticket sales alone.
Train enthusiasts and local residents lined the route from Rawtenstall to Bury Bolton Street hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous engine.
Mike Kelly, chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, said more than 8,000 tickets had been sold for the Scotsman in Steam event. He said: “These past four days have been momentous for the East Lancashire Railway, as not only have we welcomed Flying Scotsman back to our line for the second time this year but we have officially opened a brand new station at Burrs Country Park.
“The community is really at the heart of the new station, thus it is fit- ting that Flying Scotsman – “The People’s Engine” was the first locomotive to call at the stop.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in both the development of the new station and the Scotsman in Steam event for their dedication and support.”
At Rawtenstall train station, Bury Amateur Radio Society also held their own special event to mark the occasion, operating their own station, GBOELR on the platform.
The Flying Scotsman previously visited Raw- tenstall in January this year, following its £4.2m restoration at Riley and Sons Ltd in Bury, and was greeted by huge crowds.
Built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1923, the Scotsman soon became the star locomotive of the British railway system, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.
The Scotsman, owned by York’s National Railway Museum, pulled carriages along the 12-mile ELR route throughout the event. The steam train will be running on lines across the UK as a working museum exhibit.