Flying Scotsman, the world’s most famous locomotive, will be on rare display at the National Railway Museum this October half term (21 October – 5 November) as part of its centenary celebrations.
On static display on the historic turntable in the museum’s Great Hall, visitors will be able to see the locomotive in all its glory with a 360-degree view for free and daily from 10.00–17.00 throughout half term, making its final visit to the museum during its centenary year. Flying Scotsman was last displayed on the turntable in 2016.
Visitors can also take a journey back in time through the locomotive’s greatest moments over the past 100 years in the multisensory Flying Scotsman VR experience. A cast of historic figures take visitors through the Flying Scotsman’s story including the British Empire Exhibition, 100mph record-breaking run and journeys around North America and Australia. Tickets for the VR experience must be booked in advance on the museum’s website.
The free centenary exhibition Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices will also be on display in the museum’s North Shed, which explores the human side of the locomotive’s legacy.
Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum said: “Flying Scotsman’s centenary is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see this world-famous locomotive, and we’re delighted that it will be on display on the turntable during the busy half term season. Visitors will be given a rare 360-degree view of the locomotive each day as part of a free museum admission ticket.”
Throughout the October half term, the museum’s largest ever family-focused interactive experience Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, will be open after welcoming over 23,000 visitors since it opened in the summer.
The interactive gallery features 18 exciting hands-on exhibits which aim to inspire and spark curiosity in railways and engineering. During half term, visitors will be able to see a live science show as part of the general entry ticket, including new show Streamlined by Design, that investigates the force of air resistance and how shape affects speed. Tickets for Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery can be booked on the museum’s website.
On 25 October, a Network Rail supported workshop, Full Steam Ahead will explore the important role of rail engineers and other crucial jobs in the industry through hands-on activities. Visitors will learn about the innovative ideas and technologies shaping the future of the railways, while hearing from people working in the industry.
To celebrate 100 years since the Flying Scotsman first entered service, an unmissable programme of events has been created with opportunities for the public to see the locomotive and celebrate its iconic history. After its visit to the National Railway Museum, Flying Scotsman will be returning to its birthplace of Doncaster on 11 and 12 November, on the next stop in its centenary programme.
Over the festive period from 16 December to 2 January, Flying Scotsman will visit Locomotion in Shildon for a special centenary festival sponsored by CrossCountry, where the locomotive will be in light steam outside of the museum.
The Flying Scotsman centenary programme has been generously supported by Hornby Hobbies (Lead Sponsor) and has also been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery.
For more information about Flying Scotsman’s return to the National Railway Museum, please visit: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme/flying-scotsman-returns
To book tickets for Flying Scotsman VR experience, please visit: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/flying-scotsman-vr
To book tickets for Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, please visit: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/wonderlab-bramall-gallery
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information please contact: Simon Baylis, PR & Press Manager, 01904 686 299, Simon.baylis@railwaymuseum.org.uk
ABOUT FLYING SCOTSMAN
Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster in February 1923, as an A1 class locomotive for the newly formed LNER and converted to an A3 class in 1947.
It was the first locomotive of the newly formed LNER (London and North Eastern Railway). Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and numbered 1472, the locomotive was not named ‘Flying Scotsman’ until the following year when it was picked to attend the British Empire Exhibition in London and renumbered 4472. The locomotive went on to operate in service until 1963 and later in preservation, which included tours of the USA, Canada and Australia, where it captured the hearts of millions.
Today the locomotive is owned by the National Railway Museum in York and is operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd, based in Heywood, Greater Manchester. To find out more about Flying Scotsman and to hear more about the centenary plans, visit www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
The National Railway Museum in York has the largest collection of railway objects in the world and is the most visited free attraction in the region, receiving more than 572,577 visitors in 2022.
The collection includes including more than 260 locomotives and rolling stock, thousands of railway objects, and over 1.75 million documents, photographs and artwork in its archives.
The National Railway Museum forms part of the Science Museum Group, along with the Science Museum in London, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, Locomotion in Shildon, and the National Collections Centre in Wiltshire.
Admission to the National Railway Museum is free, although visitors are encouraged to book in advance, visit: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk
