The world-famous Flying Scotsman is coming to Cornwall this weekend as part of its centenary year.

To help celebrate the landmark anniversary of the express passenger train, it is running a special day trip between Bristol Temple Meads and Par in Cornwall this Sunday.

Normally found at the National Railway Museum in York, on special occasions is travels on the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) line. 

According to the ELR, the Flying Scotsman holds the record for hauling the first ever non-stop London to Edinburgh service in 1928. It was the first locomotive to reach 100mph in 1934 and the first steam engine to travel all around the world, with visits to the USA and Australia. 

It was the first locomotive to reach 100mph in 1934 and the first steam engine to travel all around the world, with visits to the USA and Australia. 

It is also said to be the inspiration for the steam train in Harry Potter.

Previous visits to Cornwall include in 2018, when it travelled the full line down to Penzance.  

What route will the Flying Scotsman take?

According to the Railway Touring Company, the train will leave Bristol Temple Meads in the morning and stop to pick up more passengers at Yatton and Taunton.

Almost immediately after leaving Taunton it will tackle the climb to Whiteball Summit.

The locomotive will stop at Exeter St. David’s station to take on water and for more passengers to join the train.

Upon leaving Exeter it follow the Exe Estuary, travelling the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth.

After Newton Abbot, the Flying Scotsman will tackle one of the steepest main line gradients in the country, firstly climbing to Dainton Tunnel before making a dramatic drop down to Totnes.

An equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank then follows, before descending to Plymouth.

Passengers are able to leave at Plymouth to explore for five hours, or continue to Par.

The locomotive will leave Plymouth, diesel hauled, and cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge to enter Cornwall.

At Par, there will be a break of just over three hours, with buses available to take passengers to Fowey or Charlestown at no extra charge.

Passengers will leave Par under the power of steam in the late afternoon, stopping to pick up passengers at Plymouth and then returning to Bristol, via Exeter, Taunton, and Yatton stations.

Specific timings have not been given publicly, for safety reasons.

How much does it cost and can I get a ticket?

Prices start at £185 for a standard adult ticket, rising to £275 for first class and £375 for a ‘premier’ ticket, which includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner with silver service.

Sadly the trip is fully booked, with a waiting list in operation that can be found here.

Safety advice

The Railway Touring Company and the National Railway Museum has said that while they appreciate there is considerable interest in Flying Scotsman, they wish to stress that anyone wishing to see Flying Scotsman on the route should do so from a safe and permitted place - trespassing along rail lines or into prohibited areas of railway stations is dangerous.

They said: "It is vital that spectators do not venture onto the railway when Flying Scotsman is on the main line as a full timetable of regular services will also be running.  For safety, keep away from the railway line."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Seeing Flying Scotsman is an exciting event for many people and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the occasion, so we can’t stress enough how important it is to keep safe at the same time.

“It’s vital that you watch from a safe distance and don’t go on or near the tracks. Trespassing on the railway is incredibly dangerous and can have devastating consequences, as well as being illegal. You could face a fine of up to £1,000 and be left with a criminal record.

“Please remember to watch from a distance and behave responsibly so that everyone is able to safely enjoy the sight of the historic locomotive.” 

History of the Flying Scotsman

The 96-ton Flying Scotsman, now owned by the National Railway Museum and operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd, was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built in the Doncaster railway works.

According to the Railway Museum it was innovative for its time, boasting a corridor to allow the driver and fireman to walk through the carriages so crews could swap mid-journey without stopping the train.

Unveiled in February 1923, a decade later it became the first locomotive to officially reach speeds of 100mph.

It went out of service in 1963 and spent 40 years under private ownership before being bought by the National Railway Museum for £2.3million, supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and public donations.

A decade later it made its inaugural run from London to the National Railway Museum in York in 2016, following a £4.2million restoration.

It operates between Edinburgh and London, as the capitals of Scotland and England.