The Railway Touring Company has ventured from London Paddington, through Thames Valley and along the river Severn to Cardiff, with passengers embarking on a steam railway journey, hauled by steam locomotive No.60103 Flying Scotsman.
With the final destination being Cardiff, passengers will be experiencing some fast running along the ex-GWR main line.
The train left London Paddington this morning, then making it’s way to Slough, for the first call for more passengers. Continuing westwards along the GWR main line, it made a further stop for passengers boarding at Reading. The journey continued through the Vale of White Horse to Swindon, then taking the South Wales Direct line through the Alderton and Chipping Sodbury Tunnels towards Bristol Parkway.
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From Bristol Parkway, passengers headed through the Severn Tunnel towards Newport, where the triangle at Maindee will have been used to turn the train, with the diesel taking them onwards through Newport to their destination for the day, Cardiff.
Provided with 3 hours to explore Cardiff, passengers will return this afternoon via Reading and Slough, before terminating in London Paddington.
The tour is part of the Flying Scotsman’s centenary celebrations.
The Railway Touring Company is very excited to be working in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Riley & Son and operator West Coast Railways Company for the 2023 celebrations,” said The Railway Touring Company’s MD Kelly Osborne. “With kind assistance from all involved, we have designed a programme of mainline steam day tours that will take Flying Scotsman to many parts of England, Scotland and Wales. We hope rail enthusiasts young and old will join us on board for a memorable day out.”
The National Railway Museum’s Centenary programme is packed with events and activities, which people can now explore and book online. During 2023, as well as days out on the mainline, Flying Scotsman can be seen at free static events at the National Railway Museum and other locations. The iconic loco will also be in action at a number of heritage railways around the UK and at Locomotion in Shildon.
The Flying Scotsman Centenary Programme has been generously supported by Hornby and has been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Find out more here: Flying Scotsman Centenary (railwaytouring.net)
