SAFETY advice has been issued for anybody planning to catch sight of the Flying Scotsman as it steams through Wellington on Sunday (April 30).

Locomotive No 60103, the world’s most famous steam engine, will travel through the town twice, once in the morning and again in the evening after dark.

It is touring the country as part of its centenary year and on Sunday will pull a Royal Duchy excursion on the mainline track from Bristol Temple Meads to Par, in Cornwall, and back again.

Details of the route and journey times, including positioning moves, were kept secret by tour operator the Railway Touring Company, citing ‘safety reasons’ to avoid overcrowding and incidents of trespass.

But the Wellington Weekly was able to calculate approximate journey times which showed the iconic locomotive was likely to reach Wellington between 10 am and 10.30 am on the down journey, and between 9 pm and 9.20 pm on the return leg.

Now, the Railway Touring Company and the National Railway Museum have asked the newspaper to publish safety advice for those hoping to see the Flying Scotsman locally.

They accepted there was ‘considerable interest’ in the Flying Scotsman, but stressed anybody wanting to see it en route should do so from a safe and permitted place.

In a statement, they said: “Trespassing along rail lines or into prohibited areas of railway stations is dangerous.

“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 the Flying Scotsman is an exciting event for many people and we want everybody to be able to enjoy the occasion, so we cannot stress enough how important it is to keep safe at the same time.

“It is vital that you watch from a safe distance and do not 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 everybody is able to safely enjoy the sight of the historic locomotive.”

Sunday’s outing is one of a number of mainline steam tours with 60103 Flying Scotsman in different regions during 2023, all arranged by The Railway Touring Company.

All seats are sold out with waiting lists in operation.

Officially the first steam locomotive to reach 100 mph, the Flying Scotsman was built at Doncaster in 1923. 

Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built for the LNER, the locomotive continued in regular service until 1963 and then later in preservation.

Today, it is owned by the National Railway Museum, in York, and is operated and maintained by Riley and Son (E) Ltd.

Heritage rail operator The Railway Touring Company, which has been organising steam days out for 25 years, said it was delighted to be working with the National Railway Museum to put Flying Scotsman through its paces on the mainline in 2023.

Company managing director Kelly Osborne said: “The Railway Touring Company is very excited to be working in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Riley and Son, and operator West Coast Railways Company for the 2023 celebrations. 

“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.”

The National Railway Museum has published a calendar of Flying Scotsman events at https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme.

The centenary programme has been supported by Hornby and has been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

The Royal Duchy will also run on other dates hauled by other historic steam locomotives, including 46233 Duchess of Sutherland and 45596 Bahamas.

Currently, seats remain available on Sundays, July 30, August 20, and September 10.

For more information about the steam dates visit www.railwaytouring.net.