SCOTSMAN STEAMS IN
HUNDREDS of people turned out to watch the Flying Scotsman locomotive steam into Cardiff.
Avid trainspotters lined the platform at Cardiff Central Station to see the historic steam locomotive roll into the city after a three-hour trip.
The Scotsman, the first locomotive in the UK to clock 100mph, arrived at platform three at around 3pm.
The Scotsman fireman, who tends the fire in the engine, John Rodger, said: “It’s an absolutely wonderful engine, it’s quite the beast.”
The locomotive took around three hours to reach the capital, after leaving Shrewsbury at 12.01pm, and was greeted by hundreds of waiting fans all vying to snap a picture of the engine.
The iconic steam train was built in Doncaster and left the works on February 24, 1923.
Kaylie Mortimer, who watched the engine arrive with her four-yearold son Toby Smith, said: “It was amazing.
“We came here for Toby really, we’ve never seen it before and he’s a train fan and probably a future train spotter.
“We did try to get tickets to go onboard but it was all fully booked.”
Another trip in Wales in scheduled for Tuesday, when the Scotsman will travel the Severn Estuary Circular from Bristol.
Tim Warwick, 66, from Cardiff, said: “It was fantastic. We were here since 11am as we didn’t know what time it was coming.
“I can remember when I was a little boy and I used to watch the steam trains go through. They are tremendous.”
The Severn Estuary Circular, from both Newport and Bristol, will travel along the scenic Severn Estuary line past Chepstow and Lydney to Gloucester, enjoying views of the Severn road suspension bridge, Chepstow Castle, and 20 miles of the River Severn.
The circular trips are organised by The Cathedrals Express.