TRAINSPOTTERS have been sharing footage and images of the iconic Flying Scotsman embarking on its journey through Lancashire.

The East Lancashire Railway is hosting the return of the train which is under the ownership of the National Railway Museum.

During the activity, people can travel behind the locomotive on a journey between Bury and Rawtenstall.

You can also get up close and personal with the engine at Heywood Station for an educational session with the Scotsman.

Some train fanatics have already shared some footage and images of the locomotive travelling between Bury and Rawtenstall.

What is the Flying Scotsman?

The Flying Scotsman is considered by many to be the most famous locomotive in the world.

The iconic locomotive was first built in 1923 and was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley.

It was built at Doncaster Works and cost £7,944 to make at the time.

It was officially the first locomotive to reach 100mph and also the first to travel around the world.

The train is also a world record holder for a non-stop run in a steam locomotive, a record which was set in 1989 with a 442-mile trip.

Video and images of the Flying Scotsman in action 

Trainspotter anD amateur videographer, Dennis Robinson, captured footage of the Flying Scotsman travelling from Bury to Lancashire.

(YouTube/denis robinson)

In the video you can see a packed Bury Station with trainspotters eager to wave the Scotsman off on its journey.

The rest of the video is filled with scenic aerial shots of the train steaming through the Irwell Vale.

Denis also captured footage of the Union of South Africa Farewell train pulling into Ramsbottom station.

The 71-year-old said he has been making plenty of aerial videos during his retirement.

He said:  “I am always on the look-out for new and challenging things to do with my spare time.

“I always had a good eye for taking good photos and someone asked ‘why don’t you do some videos?’

“So a couple of months ago I bought a drone and learned to fly. I am now registered and CAA licenced to fly them.”

He added that the Flying Scotsman’s visit to Lancashire this year was immediately fascinating to him.

Denis added: “I was a mechanical engineer before retirement and always been fascinated by steam trains and railways so it was an obvious target for my amateur aerial videos.

“The Flying Scotsman is an engineering masterpiece not to be missed.”

Denis isn’t the only person to have spotted the train over bank holiday weekend.

One Twitter user saw it on the tracks:

 


 

They wrote: “Great to see the Flying Scotsman returning to our local East Lancashire Railway today.”

Another wrote: "A day on the East Lancs Railway today on the Flying Scotsman.

"It’s the volunteers that make preserved railways sustainable and engaging. It was great to see so many of the volunteers ensuring everyone had a enjoyable and safe day."

 

 

Sarah Noble said: “Today on the @eastlancsrly: "Flying Scotsman AND Union of South Africa AND, um, Darth Vader.

“Always an adventure...”

Vicky Harris shared some snaps of The Scotsman in Rawtenstall.

 

 

Emma Seddon also snapped a picture of the Flying Scotsman at Rawtenstall Station.

 

 

She wrote: “Due to work commitments I missed the weekend's Scotsman event but luckily managed to get out for a few photos of the diner.”

 

 

Can I still see the Flying Scotsman?

It’s not too late to see the Flying Scotsman for yourself as the East Lancashire Railway still has tickets on sale.

It was supposed to be the star attraction for Easter Weekend but they train’s journey had to be postponed due to the coronavirus.

If you want to embark on a trip behind the train itself, there is still time to book tickets for the following dates: Friday 3 September, Saturday 4 September and Sunday 5 September. 

The train departs from Bury in Greater Manchester and journeys to Rawtenstall in Lancashire.

Get tickets online.

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