THE FLYING SCOTSMAN steam locomotive is set to pass through Bromsgrove while working an excursion, writes Neil Gordon.
The iconic locomotive, which is celebrating its centenary this year, is set to haul the Worcester Christmas Express from Cambridge to Worcester and back on behalf of the Railway Touring Company, tomorrow (Wednesday, December 13).
The sold out train is booked to pass through Barnt Green at 11.14am, Bromsgrove at 11.18am and Droitwich at 11.30am before arriving at Worcester Shrub Hill station for a four-hour stay.
The train then departs Worcester at 3.40pm and heads back to Cambridge. It is booked to pass through Droitwich at 3.49pm, Bromsgrove at 4.06pm and Barnt Green at 4.15pm.
A diesel locomotive is expected to be on the rear of the train to enable it to pass through Bromsgrove without needing to stop for banking assistance on its return leg.
The Railway Touring Company’s Managing Director Kelly Osborne told the Standard: “We are pleased to be running the Worcester Christmas Express, which is our final steam hauled daytrip marking the very special centenary year for Flying Scotsman.
“We have run a series of trains throughout the year in different parts of the country to ensure that she visits as many areas as possible during her special celebration year.
“We appreciate the levels of interest in the Flying Scotsman, but urge anyone wishing to see this train to do so from a safe and permitted place – trespassing on the railway is prohibited.
“It is vital that people do not venture onto the railway to see Flying Scotsman as other services will also be travelling through Barnt Green, Bromsgrove and Droitwich at the same time our excursion is scheduled.”
One of the UK’s most popular steam trains
The popularity of the Flying Scotsman is expected to see large crowds along its entire route, with Network Rail issuing a reminder to anyone going to see the train that they are responsible not only for their own safety, but the safety of other people around them, and nobody should be trespassing on the railway.
Other trains will also be travelling through the Barnt Green, Bromsgrove area Droitwich areas at the time the excursion is scheduled.
The Flying Scotsman locomotive was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built at Doncaster works in 1923 at a cost of £7,944. It commenced operating LNER services between London Kings Cross and Scotland on February 24, 1923.
Initially numbered 1472, it was renumbered to 4472 and named The Flying Scotsman in 1924, before receiving its current number 60103 in 1948.
The 97-tonne locomotive, now owned by the National railway Museum, was the first engine to officially reach 100mph in 1934, and is also the first locomotive to circumnavigate the globe having visited both the United States of America and Australia
