The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) will host the return of the iconic Flying Scotsman this summer.

The celebrated locomotive, which is owned by the National Railway Museum, was supposed to be the star attraction in an Easter weekend bonanza of steam’s golden age on the heritage railway in Bury, but coronavirus restrictions meant the event had to be postponed. 

Passengers who booked tickets for the Easter weekend can transfer to the new dates: Sunday 29 August , Monday 30 August , Friday 3 September, Saturday 4 September and Sunday 5 September. 

The tickets will be valid for one return trip Bury to Rawtenstall in a reserved seat. Existing Bury to Heywood ticket holders will also receive a complimentary upgrade to the higher priced Bury to Rawtenstall trip.

If social distancing regulations allow, ticket holders will also receive complimentary access to two more special train services which will be announced in due course.

ELR Chairman Mike Kelly said: “We are truly delighted to play host once again to the most iconic locomotive in history. We were devastated not once but twice when we had to cancel the Scotsman’s return to the ELR because of Covid-19.

“Whilst the railway has been through some challenging times recently due to the coronavirus outbreak it’s great to now have some exciting and positive events to look forward to, allowing us to offer our loyal customers who stood by us a rare chance to ride behind this giant of steam in 2021.

“The ELR really comes alive on weekends like this. It’s such a special occasion for steam enthusiasts and families alike and we look forward to welcoming them all.”

Locomotive No. 60103, Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 by the LNER to haul express passenger services between London and Edinburgh. It became the first locomotive to officially travel at 100 miles per hour.

In 2004, the locomotive was saved for the nation and bought by the National Railway Museum with assistance from numerous organisations and the public. After a long and complex restoration in the workshop of Riley & Son (E) Ltd, the locomotive returned to the tracks in 2016 and now hauls passenger services across the country. 

For further information click here