Description

We’re delving into our archives to showcase the very best of steam on the main line and at heritage railways over the past 18 years, focusing on the only operational LNER Gresley A3 steam locomotive, LNER A3 No.60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’. No heavily assisting diesel locomotives – just pure steam action.

LNER Gresley A3 Class
The London and North Eastern Railway A3 class was a group of 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for express passenger services. Developed from the earlier A1 class during the 1920s and 1930s, the A3s were built to haul increasingly heavy trains at high speeds along the East Coast Main Line between London, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. The class became famous for its combination of power, reliability, and elegant design, with many locomotives carrying the names of notable racehorses. The most celebrated member of the class was ‘Flying Scotsman’, which became the first steam locomotive to be officially recorded at 100 mph in 1934. In total, 79 locomotives either entered service as new A3s or were rebuilt from A1s, and they remained a familiar sight across the LNER and later British Railways network until their withdrawal during the 1960s. Today, only one member of the class survives in preservation: No.60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’, which remains one of the most famous steam locomotives in the world and continues to operate on both heritage railways and the mainline.

Sit back and enjoy LNER A3 No.60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ hauling mainline railtours and visiting heritage railways since returning to steam in January 2016. Covering iconic locations including the Settle & Carlisle Railway, the West Coast Mainline over Shap and Beattock, the Devon Banks, the East Coast Mainline and many others, ‘Flying Scotsman’ can be seen at speed on some of Britain’s most spectacular railway routes.
The programme also includes visits to a selection of heritage railways, including:
– North Yorkshire Moors Railway
– East Lancashire Railway
– Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
– Severn Valley Railway
And more.

LNER A3 No.60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’
Built at Doncaster Works in 1923 and designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ was constructed for the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway to operate prestigious express services along the East Coast Main Line. The locomotive became world-famous after becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially recorded at 100 mph in 1934, and following a decade-long restoration costing around £4.5 million, it remains the only surviving member of the LNER A3 class.

This product includes brief commentary throughout, and titles are provided with date, location, and rail tour information.

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