The National Railway Museum invited RailAdvent today (14th October) to London King’s Cross to see plans unveiled for Flying Scotsman‘s centenary.

2023 marks 100 years since the famous steam locomotive was built and a special year of events are planned to take place.

The event was held at the famous London terminus to tie in with its 170th anniversary.

As well as the launch of the centenary celebrations, a new book was launched by Michael Murpurgo. Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever tells the story of Iris, who dreams of being a train driver like her dad, who drives Flying Scotsman.

A number of railtours are planned for 2023, such as various Waverley tours from York to Carlisle, and various railtours to Chester, Portsmouth, Salisbury and Great Yarmouth, just to name a few.

What was also announced at the event was that Flying Scotsman will be visiting a number of heritage lines during its centenary year.

First up is the previously announced Swanage Railway, which will take place from the 20th October until the 6th November 2022.

Then, between the 1st and 25th March 2023, the A3 locomotive will head to the East Lancashire Railway.

Moving to April, 1st – 16th April 2023 to be exact, it will hold a special Centenary Festival at the National Railway Museum in York.

Staying within Yorkshire, the next heritage visit will be to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, which will take place between the 1st and 24th May 2023. You can see Flying Scotsman at the KWVR on its previous visit below:

Continuing the celebrations, Flying Scotsman will then head to the Bluebell Railway, where it will be operating / on display between the 14th and 31st August 2023.

The current diary of heritage visits will finish with another Centenary Festival at Locomotion in Shildon, taking place between the 20th October and 5th November 2023.

Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, said: “Flying Scotsman is one of the jewels in the crown of our world-class collection, so we are delighted to announce its centenary programme at such an iconic location and on such an auspicious date. Flying Scotsman and King’s Cross Station have become associated with the London-Edinburgh route, as beautifully brought to life in Michael Morpurgo’s wonderful story, Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever. The centenary calendar has a range of events from free static displays to rail tours, to ensure that everyone across the country has the chance to experience Flying Scotsman during this special anniversary.”

Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail, Trustee of the Science Museum Group and Chair of the National Railway Museum Advisory Board, adds: “It’s brilliant to have Flying Scotsman here to help us celebrate King’s Cross station’s 170th birthday and launch its own 100th birthday celebration too. Since it opened all those years ago, King’s Cross has become an iconic London landmark, a backdrop for many historical and cultural events, and, of course, served millions of people travelling up and down the East Coast Main Line. Although an icon of the steam age, today it’s never looked better, and is absolutely fit to serve the railway’s growth and sustainability aims the Government have given us.

“King’s Cross and Flying Scotsman have a glorious history, and it’s important we look back and celebrate that, but we’re also reaching out to the next generation, both to travel by train and to get inspired by engineering and technology.”

Jemima Wade, Headteacher, Argyle Primary School, adds: “We’re thrilled to be amongst the first to see Flying Scotsman start its centenary year celebrations today. To see the locomotive up close and to hear a special reading from Michael Morpurgo – a favourite author for so many of us – is a once in a lifetime experience. One that is sure to stay with our Year 1 pupils for life, and – who knows – may even inspire future careers in engineering and on the railway!”

Stuart Gray, Operations Manager for Riley & Son (E) Ltd, said: “Riley & Son (E) Ltd are proud to present ‘Flying Scotsman’ to the nation fresh from a comprehensive overhaul which will see it fit and ready to undertake a range of exciting events across the country in its 100th year. Putting the programme together with our partners at the National Railway Museum and Railway Touring Company has taken a great deal of work and we are excited to share it with you all.”

A number of Flying Scotsman videos and merchandise can be found on RailAdvent’s dedicated page at www.railadvent.co.uk/flying-scotsman

You can find out more information about the diary currently confirmed at https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme

A big thank you to the National Railway Museum for inviting RailAdvent to King’s Cross today, you can see Flying Scotsman on display in the capital this weekend (15th/16th October) – find out more information by clicking here.

You can view best selling 60103 Flying Scotsman products below: