The National Railway Museum (NRM) has provided an update about a prize steam locomotive ahead of the end of the engine's centenary celebrations – and says its future operation is being ‘carefully considered’.
The Flying Scotsman arrived at NRM sister museum ‘Locomotion’ in Shildon, County Durham, on Thursday, December 14 after receiving a clean at the NRM in York, following its latest main line tour.
The loco has made a series of visits to the Bradford district during its centenary year, hauling special trains through Bingley and Keighley en-route to the Settle and Carlisle line.
The Doncaster-built A3 also made an extended visit to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, delighting spectators in locations such as Haworth, Ingrow, Oakworth and Oxenhope.
An article in Rail Advent reported that the museum said Flying Scotsman will remain in Shildon after the planned event to celebrate its centenary, although it will not be on display.
A spokesperson for NRM said: “The National Railway Museum is focused on the delivery of Flying Scotsman’s centenary celebrations which will conclude with a visit to Locomotion in Shildon between December 16 and January 7.
“The current contract to maintain and operate Flying Scotsman runs until December 2023.
“After the success of Flying Scotsman’s centenary year, and the locomotive’s two popular visits to the NRM, the future operation of Flying Scotsman after this date is being carefully considered.
“Future arrangements will ensure people have the opportunity to see and experience one of the collection’s star objects and will conserve and safeguard the steam locomotive’s future.
“The National Railway Museum is committed to making Flying Scotsman accessible to all and this includes building on the success it’s had in our museums in the centenary year and operating it up and down the country.”
The spokesperson added that the locomotive will be coming back to the NRM at some point in 2024.
Flying Scotsman’s centenary this year has included displays at the NRM, a virtual reality experience and the programme of events and exhibitions including a poem written by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
In September the locomotive was involved in a slow speed crash when backing down on its carriages at Aviemore Railway Station in the Scottish Highlands, in which five people were hurt.
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