A loco legend in flying visit...
HUNDREDS of rail enthusiasts came out in force to see the Flying Scotsman pass through Stockport for the second time in seven days.
The iconic steam locomotive travelled through Reddish South Station on its way from York to Crewe last Tuesday afternoon, a week after making the same journey.
It stopped for around 15 minutes at nearby Denton railway station, before heading through Reddish and Cheadle.
The train is normally housed at the National Transport Museum in York, but travelled through the region on its way to Crewe to take part in a railtour.
It made the same journey the previous Tuesday, travelling back to York using a different route.
Kevin McNeese from Reddish said: “I work on the railways, but I’ve never seen it before, so thought I’d come down while it was here.”
Phil Birdhall from Denton said: “It’s the last of its kind, it’s iconic - engineering at its best.”
Margaret Wilkin from Denton added: “It’s an icon, a blast from the past. When it was here last time, a lot of people didn’t know and missed it.
“It’s spread through word of mouth, there are a lot more people this time.”
And Julie Smith said: “She’s absolutely beautiful. The whole idea of the Flying Scotsman is so romantic.
“It’s just such a sight when it rolls in. We all love it.”
The famous engine was the first locomotive to be officially recorded breaking the 100mph speed barrier.
It underwent a painstaking ten-year £4.2m restoration which was only completed in 2015.
It made its first public appearance for a decade on the East Lancashire Railway in Bury last September and has since been making various tours.
The multi-million pound overhaul began after it was bought by the National Railway Museum in York in 2004. Components and equipment have been fitted in Bury. The engine however will be in its ‘wartime’ black livery when it takes to the tracks in Bury.
Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, the locomotive was built in Doncaster for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923.
A year later it was renumbered and given the name the Flying Scotsman.