May 2005

-Saturday, May 14th 2005-

While working on tour trains between York-Scarbrough on the Mainland, the National Railway Museum had agreed with Sir Stephen Topham Hatt, to let Flying Scotsman visit Sodor to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Railway Series books. The celebration was a two day gala event with a display of engines that had appeared in the books. Here 4472 is standing next to fellow Doncaster brother, NWR No.4 'Gordon'. This was Flying Scotsman's second visit to the Island since 1967.

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Flying Scotsman was built at Doncaster in 1923 by Sir Nigel Gresley. In 1924/25, he was invited to be put on show at Wembley in their engineering hall for the British Empire Exhibition. Three years later he was the first steam locomotive under the LNER to cross east coast all the way to Edinburgh, Scotland in 1928. 1934 saw him officially cracking the 100mph record run, although it's debatable that City of Truro went faster at 102mph. Until then the 1960's rolled in and the mainland saw diesel locomotion being superior. So in 1963, British Railways had retired the famous engine but was not on the preservation list alongside Doncaster cousin 'Mallard'. But he was saved that year by Railway enthusiast and businessman, Alan Pegler (b.1920 - d.2012). In 1967, Flying Scotsman landed a special visit to the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor to cheer Gordon after hearing the dreadful state of the world. One year later, at the age of 45, Flying Scotsman crossed the mainland again with a non-stop that it once hauled in 1928. But with watering facilities being ripped up, it was rather difficult. One of the guests though on his train was the Thin Clergyman, Rev.W.Awdry.

In 1969, Alan Pegler took Flying Scotsman to the USA for promoting British goods. However by the early 1970's government backing was slashed for Flying Scotsman as they felt that a steam locomotive promoting British goods won't be considered as a good image towards American investors. So Flying Scotsman's owner, Alan Pegler declared himself bankrupt and the fate of Flying Scotsman's future was at stake. However Sir William Macalpine saved the engine and is now the new owner and was home in England in Liverpool. He wouldn't do another world tour until 1988 when he was invited to take part of Aus Steam '88 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for nation's bicentenary celebrations. A year later it embarked on a national tour and travelled to places such Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. It even ran 442 miles on a non-stop nine hour run between Parkes - Broken Hill. A record he still holds today.

He returned home to England that same year in December this time from a successful tour. However restoration were getting costly for him and so he was sold to Dr.Tony Marchington (b.1955 - d.2011) in 1996. However restoration costs were getting costly and so he was sold to the National Railway Museum in 2004 as 'The people's engine' and was in need of an overhaul. Restoration started in 2006 and was about make a return to the rails in 2011 in WWII black. But unfortunately cracks were found in the running board and the restoration was delayed until 2016 where it was no under the guidance of Ian Riley. He returned to service in January 2016 and their are hopes of his return to Sodor.

Models and Routes: Sodor Island 3D, WildNorWester3D and Sodor Workshops
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