Scotsman booked for Bluebell stint

NO. 60103 Flying Scotsman is to visit the Bluebell Railway on August 25-29. The ‘A3’ will be running non-stop return services between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. All seats must be pre-booked.

Members of the public will also be able to see the National Railway Museum’s (NRM) 4-6-2 on static display at Sheffield Park from

August 17-24 and August 30-September 5. Tickets for footplate viewings and travel are due to go on sale from

May 5 at www.bluebellrailway.com

While No. 60103 is owned by the National Collection, it is operated and maintained by Heywood, Lancashire-based Riley & Son (E) Ltd.

Ahead of its centenary celebrations in 2023, the ‘A3’ is due to undergo an overhaul this April. The visit to the Bluebell is expected to be one of the first opportunities to see the well-known loco after it returns to steam.

As part of the overhaul,

Riley & Son (E) Ltd will restore Scotsman to the same standard as the last overhaul in 2016, with work focusing on the boiler and the required retube and recertification. The NRM has confirmed there will not be any changes to the loco’s livery, numbering or chimney configuration.