Train fans get the chance to wave goodbye to Flying Scotsman

EARLY-RISING train fans can get another look at the Flying Scotsman when it steams through the New Forest on its way back to London tomorrow (Friday).

The famous train has been running trips at Swanage since it arrived on 22nd March, attracting crowds of photographers and enthusiasts as it passed through local villages on its way there.

According to approximate times provided by the Swanage Railway, the train will depart at 7.13am, passing through Bournemouth at 8.15am before reaching Brockenhurst at 8.46am. It will arrive in Southampton by 9.10am.

The Flying Scotsman, which has a top speed of 100mph, was originally built in Doncaster in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway.

After a £4.2m refurbishment, it is now one of the jewels in the crown of the National Railway Museum’s collection.

The museum said: “While we understand that interest in Flying Scotsman will be extremely high, we urge those wishing to view it on its tour dates do so from a safe vantage point.

“It is vital that spectators do not venture onto the railway, particularly when it is on the mainline, as a full timetable of regular services will also be running.”