Steam Locomotive Flying Scotsman to visit County Durham

The Weardale Railway in County Durham has released more details of the visit from iconic steam locomotive The Flying Scotsman between Friday 13 and Sunday 15 November, which it announced in August. The famous loco will arrive at the Weardale Railway’s Stanhope station at 10:20 and 15:15 on each of the three days, and will stand at the station for around one hour during each visit, before travelling along the line through its other stations. There will be designated viewing areas at five of the Railway’s stations, and a ticket costing two pounds will entitle visitors to access the area to view The Flying Scotsman. Tickets include access to the station platform. Car parking is available at Bishop Auckland, Wolsingham and Stanhope stations, but there is no car parking at Witton-le-Wear or Frosterley. The Railway is advising visitors to Stanhope that Platform 1 and the footbridge will close half an hour before the loco arrives, so they should use Platform 2 or the field next to the station for safe viewing. Platform 1 and the footbridge will reopen five minutes after The Flying Scotsman has departed. There will be Railway staff on the platforms, and it is important that visitors follow their instructions. Access to viewing areas will be subject to capacity and safety arrangements. Tickets are available online or from Stanhope station, and can be exchanged for a souvenir platform ticket at any of the stations on the day. No. 4472 Flying Scotsman is an LNER Class A3 4-6-2 “Pacific” type steam locomotive. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built in Doncaster in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). It hauled long-distance express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line. Last month, the locomotive visited the Swanage Railway in Dorset to help celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. See one of the world’s most famous steam locomotives in the heart of the Durham Dales! Three days, one legendary locomotive – a visit to remember! Weardale Railway