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Flying Scotsman: steaming dates named

The A3 Pacific is currently at Ian Riley’s workshops in Bury where the final stages of its £2.6-million overhaul are taking place.

Recent work includes the installation of major frames components to include all the refurbished six horn blocks and the new mid stretcher.

Successful repairs to the wheelsets, the six axleboxes and all associated components have been completed.

The new middle motion brackets are fabricated and about to be installed. 

The fabrication of the new bogie stretcher is almost complete.

Previously identified frames defects are 90% complete with all major riveting to frame components now completed. Many other components for the reassembly have been completed in readiness for final installation.

The refitting of the wheels is expected to take place in mid-March.

The locomotive, still in its wartime black livery of NE No. 102, will be on static display at the Fab Four gala at Barrow Hill on April 13-15, where the eagerly-awaited line-up of East Coast Main Line motive power in the form of an A1, A2, A3 and A4 will be staged.

An NRM spokesman said on February 15 that the restoration project is on track to meet the provisional dates set for steam tests and its loaded test run.

The steam tests are expected to take place on the East Lancashire Railway in the last two weeks of May.

The engine’s loaded main line test run is expected to take place between Bury and York on May 31.

All of these dates are provisional at this stage, said the spokesman.

As highlighted in Heritage Railway issue 160, if all goes well, Flying Scotsman is likely to officially open the NRM’s Railfest 2012 event on June 2.

Flying Scotsman is also scheduled to take the Olympic flame from York to Thirsk on June 20.

It is likely to be repainted into its familiar apple green livery around Christmas.