Scotsman takes Swanage by storm
THE Swanage Railway enjoyed bumper passenger figures when the world’s most famous steam locomotive, LNER A3 Pacific No. 60103 Flying Scotsman, hauled passenger services over five days of its three-week stay at the start of its centenary year celebrations.
Following its high-profile King’s Cross relaunch on October 14 after the completion of its overhaul,
No. 60103 arrived on the Purbeck line with its support coach four days later, as reported last issue.
Booked to haul trains between October 22-26, the first was waved off by none other than Penny Pegler, the daughter of the late businessman and Ffestiniog Railway saviour Alan Pegler, who bought the A3 from BR in 1963 to save it from the scrapyard. Penny flew in from her home in Portugal especially for the occasion.
She said: “It was wonderful to wave off Flying Scotsman on the first train of the day from Swanage because the locomotive has such a special place in my heart.
“It is great to see so many people coming to see and enjoy Flying Scotsman almost 60 years after my dear father saved it from going to a scrapyard.
“It is a very special day for me and it was lovely seeing everyone. I was amazed to see how many people were so happy to talk about my father.”
Playing the bagpipes as the A3 departed Swanage station was 15-year-old Frederick Sills, from Wareham, a member of the Swanage Railway’s Sygnets youth group and a member of the Weymouth Sea Cadets.
Later, at 11.45am, Penny rode in the luxurious 1940s Pullman Devon Belle observation carriage Car 14, when Flying Scotsman hauled the second train of the day.
Bob Patterson, the volunteer chairman of the Swanage Railway Company, which operates the trains for the Swanage Railway Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the strong public response to the visit of the iconic Flying Scotsman.
“We feel sure that the Isle of Purbeck economy has been given an important boost thanks to the influx of visitors coming to see and ride behind the most famous and iconic steam locomotive in the world.
“More than 200 primary and junior school children from the Isle of Purbeck were given the rare and exciting opportunity to visit the footplate of the iconic steam locomotive as part of the Swanage Railway’s educational work with local schools.
“During the five days of Flying Scotsman hauling trains from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden, almost 7000 passengers were carried, with many of the special trains being fully booked.
“It was incredible and very gratifying to see so many happy passengers fulfilling their dreams. In addition, hundreds of people watched Flying Scotsman from the lineside during the five days that it was in action.
“It has been a privilege and an honour for the Swanage Railway to be allowed to host this wonderful locomotive – the Concorde of the 1920s and 1930s.”
Bob, who is also a volunteer station porter, added: “it has been a very wonderful and very special time for our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters after all their hard work and commitment during this year.”
Limited to 25mph on heritage railways, Flying Scotsman became the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated as reaching 100mph when it hauled a test run from Leeds to King’s Cross down Stoke Bank between Grantham and Peterborough on November 30, 1934.
After its five days of hauling services on the Purbeck line, the A3 remained on display at Swanage station for pre-booked public visits, with ticket-only access to the footplate until November 6.
It departed the line on November 8, heading for the East Lancashire Railway.