Flying Scotsman, the best-known steam locomotive in the world, spent last weekend in its birthplace, Doncaster.

The famous loco was built in what was then a Yorkshire town one hundred years ago. The weekend visit, to Freightliner Railport, marked three occasions: Flying Scotsman’s centenary, remembrance weekend, and Doncaster’s award of City status last year.

Thousands of people saw the locomotive on Saturday and Sunday, having booked tickets that were made available last month.  Freightliner marked the occasion by naming a locomotive ‘City of Doncaster’.

The National Railway Museum in York owns Flying Scotsman and Riley & Son (E) Ltd operates and maintains it. Freightliner has thanked both organisations for facilitating the Doncaster event.

The freight company has also thanked First Bus, which provided Park and Ride services during the weekend and displayed a vintage bus at the event.

Peter Mair, Operations Manager at First Bus, said: “First Bus Doncaster are proud to be associated with the City of Doncaster Council in this celebration, and assisting the many visitors that attended. A regular shuttle service was operated to the Railport by one of our EV buses that is currently on trial in South Yorkshire.”

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “It is testament to the hard work and determination of many people in our city that we can now welcome Flying Scotsman back home. I am delighted that thousands of visitors got the opportunity to see Flying Scotsman for themselves this weekend, as I know how much this means to local people.

“We also took this opportunity to reflect and give thanks for the sacrifices made by service men and women as we commemorated their most significant contribution this remembrance weekend.”

Chief Executive Officer of G&W UK/Europe, Tim Shoveller, presented Mayor Ros Jones with a commemorative plaque, and said, “It was an honour to have the Flying Scotsman on our site this weekend which is a key part of our national rail history and to be part of this special centenary celebration. This weekend was particularly poignant for us as we took time out to remember the sacrifices many men and women made during the war, of which many ex-service men and women work across our business today.”

RailAdvent’s online shop offers a variety of Flying Scotsman products, including mouse mats, prints and more.