Flying Scotsman:theworld’s Most Famous Locomotive

By Brian Sharpe (hardback, Gresley Books at Mortons Books, 162pp, £14.99, ISBN 97819 11658023).

HERITAGE RAILWAY’S longserving former deputy editor Brian Sharpe always maintained that

Flying Scotsman was his favourite locomotive of all time – and this is his definitive account.

Here is the complete story, from its public appearance at the Wembley exhibition of 1924, through the first King’s Cross to Edinburgh nonstop run in 1928 and the world’s first 100mph record in 1934, to its purchase by Alan Pegler in 1963 and later rescue from California by Sir William Mcalpine, its exploits in Australia and its final addition to the National Collection in 2004.

The highly-readable and accessible text is accompanied by quality colour pictures.

BIOGRAPHY OF A LEGEND FOR ALL