The Flying Scotsman — A Different Kind of Icon
The Jacobite Steam Train and the Flying Scotsman are both beloved heritage locomotives, but they occupy completely different places in railway history. Where the Jacobite is a regular seasonal service on a scenic Highland route, the Flying Scotsman is a museum piece that runs only on special occasions — arguably the most famous steam locomotive in the world.
History: Birth of a Legend
The Flying Scotsman — LNER Class A1 locomotive, works number 1564, running number 4472 — was completed at the Great Northern Railway's Doncaster Works in 1923. It was designed by Nigel Gresley, who became Chief Mechanical Engineer of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) that same year. Gresley's Pacific (4-6-2 wheel arrangement) design was a leap forward in British express locomotive engineering.
The locomotive was named Flying Scotsman after the prestigious Anglo-Scottish express train service of the same name — a service that had been running between London King's Cross and Edinburgh since 1862, though without a formal name until the 1920s.
In its early career, No. 4472 operated on the East Coast Main Line, working heavy express trains between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It was a regular performer on the 'Flying Scotsman' named service from 1928 when the non-stop London-Edinburgh service was inaugurated.
The 100mph Record
On 30 November 1934, during a high-speed test run between London and Leeds, Flying Scotsman became the first steam locomotive to officially reach 100mph in Britain. The exact circumstances have been debated by historians — the speed was recorded on calibrated equipment — but the claim has been accepted by the railway history community. The feat cemented the locomotive's legendary status.
Gresley went on to design the even faster Class A4 locomotives, including Mallard, which set the world steam speed record of 126mph in 1938. But it was Flying Scotsman that first broke the magic 100mph barrier.
Preservation and Sale
The Flying Scotsman was withdrawn from BR service in 1963 and was bought privately by businessman Alan Pegler, who preserved it and operated it on special railtour services. Pegler took it on a tour of the United States and Canada in 1969, which ended in financial difficulties.
The locomotive subsequently passed through several owners, including Sir William McAlpine, who funded an extensive restoration. In 2004, the National Railway Museum purchased Flying Scotsman — with the help of public fundraising and Heritage Lottery Fund support — for £2.3 million. A major restoration project followed, and the locomotive returned to main-line operation in 2016.
It is now based at the National Railway Museum in York, where it is on static display when not operating. The NRM occasionally sends it out on special railtour excursions on the national network.
Flying Scotsman vs the Jacobite
| Feature | Flying Scotsman | Jacobite | |---|---|---| | Type | LNER Class A1/A3 Pacific | LMS Stanier Class 5 (Black Five) | | Built | 1923 (Doncaster) | Black Fives built 1934–1951 | | Wheel arrangement | 4-6-2 | 4-6-0 | | Route | East Coast Main Line | Fort William to Mallaig (West Highland Line) | | Operation | Special railtours only | Daily, seasonal (June–October) | | How to ride | Book specific railtour excursions | Standard booking via WCR or GYG | | Access | NRM York (static display) or rare mainline tours | Regular from Fort William |
The Jacobite wins on accessibility — you can reliably plan to ride it on any day during the season. The Flying Scotsman wins on pure historical significance. If you love steam trains, both are worth pursuing.
How to See the Flying Scotsman
At the National Railway Museum, York
The National Railway Museum in York is free to enter and is the largest railway museum in the world. Flying Scotsman is displayed in the Great Hall alongside other historic locomotives. When not on tour, it is normally present and viewable at close quarters.
The NRM is highly recommended as a destination in its own right — the collection includes Mallard, the world speed record holder, and many other significant locomotives.
On a Railtour
Special railtour companies (including West Coast Railways, the same operator as the Jacobite) run occasional Flying Scotsman excursions on the national network. These are usually sold out well in advance. Check: Railwayholidays.com, Pathfinder Tours, and the NRM website for upcoming dates.
Flying Scotsman has operated on the East Coast Main Line to Edinburgh, on the Settle and Carlisle Railway, and on various heritage routes. Scottish sightings are possible but not frequent.