World-famous locomotive Flying Scotsman made a fine sight as it steamed through the Bradford district this morning.

The Doncaster-built loco, numbered 60103, was hauling a special train called the Waverley from York to Carlisle, picking up passengers at Leeds, Keighley and Skipton on its way towards the Settle and Carlisle line.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Flying Scotsman passing Apperley Bridge on Sunday, November 19, 2023, with The Waverley from York to Carlisle Flying Scotsman passing Apperley Bridge on Sunday, November 19, 2023, with The Waverley from York to Carlisle (Image: Harold Greenwood: T&A Camera Club)

It gave rail enthusiasts in locations such as Apperley Bridge, Shipley, Saltaire and Bingley the chance to catch a glimpse of the iconic engine, which is celebrating its centenary year with a series of mainline excursions and visits to preserved railways across the UK.

The tour was promoted by Railway Touring Company and operated by West Coast Railways Company.

A quick glance at the Real Time Trains website revealed that today's train was six minutes late leaving Hellifield, but had apparently put in a spectacular performance over the S&C to be 14 minutes early on arrival at Appleby, suggesting the loco was more than living up to its name!

"She certainly had a good head of steam when she passed me," said Philip Roger Bailey, of the T&A Camera Club, who captured a picture of the train emerging from Bingley Tunnel.