Trainspotters across Lancashire are celebrating after it was announced that an iconic locomotive will be visiting the county.
The Flying Scotsman is set to return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) in March 2023.
It will be chugging along the county's countryside, and other parts of the country, to celebrate its 100 years in service.
During the train’s visit it will be running services, hauling dining trains and even taking part in static displays.
A spokesperson for the ELR said: “This record-breaking engine is celebrating 100 years since she entered service, and as part of the festivities she will travelling around the country, including to our very own Irwell Valley, where she will be running services as well as showing her stuff on static display.
“We don’t have a lot of details available yet, but watch this space, tickets will be available soon.”
Since making the ELR made the announcement, hundreds of rail fans have expressed their excitement at the news.
The Flying Scotsman is one of the most recognised, most loved steam engines of all time.
While its home is usually at the National Railway Museum in York, you’ll find it soaring up and down the ELR on special occasions.
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.
The locomotive has visited Lancashire on several occasions, one of the most recent visits was in September 2021.
Great to see the Flying Scotsman🚂 returning to our local East Lancashire Railway today😃 pic.twitter.com/gQYwyKBink
— Aviatrix (@Aviatri92860040) August 30, 2021
Three-year-old Edward Almond visited the Flying Scotsman earlier this month, when it embarked on a test run at the East Lancashire Railway.
He even brought a hat, flag and whistle with him to pose as a station master.
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