The railway museum is playing host to Flying Scotsman, widely regarded as the most famous steam locomotive in the world, from Sunday 2nd to Tuesday 25th August, with both passenger rides and individual footplate experiences (the chance to ride alongside the driver in the cab) available to pre-book.
First entering service in 1923, Flying Scotsman became a world record breaker in 1934 as the first steam locomotive to officially reach an authenticated 100 miles per hour. While on tour in 1989, it set another world record for the longest non-stop run of a steam locomotive, travelling 422 miles across South-East Australia.
Flying Scotsman stands as the flagship of Locomotion’s free Summer Festival, a 6-week celebration at the museum featuring workshops, exhibitions and the popular pop-up beach. As well as Flying Scotsman, the museum is also offering rides behind their replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, a world-changing locomotive which kick-started a golden era of innovation.
There will be a series of workshops and displays inspiring visitors to ‘Think like an Engineer’. The popular LEGO bricks entertainer Bricks McGee, the North East Meccano Society and artist Dawn Belshaw – as well as a host of others – will be hosting regular workshops throughout the festival programme, all free of charge and all suitable for the whole family.
Last year, Locomotion joined celebrations of S&DR200, the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway which launched the modern railway era when the world’s first passenger railway journey took place on the line in 1835.
This year marks the 150th birthday of Sir Nigel Gresley, one of Britain’s most famous steam locomotive engineers, who designed Flying Scotsman. As part of celebrations, the museum will also be inviting visitors to ‘Meet the Engineers’ through a display of past and present engineers including Sir Nigel Gresley and eleven other inspiring engineers.
Locomotion anticipates demand to see and ride the famous Flying Scotsman locomotive to be greater than ever in this anniversary year, so is urging those interested to book their tickets soon, before they sell out.
All pre-booked tickets, including passenger rides and footplate experience, are available to book from Tuesday 2nd June. All tickets can be booked and the whole festival programme, including all free events, can be viewed at www.locomotion.org.uk/whats-on/summer-festival. 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 People’s Postcode Lottery.