As Flying Scotsman tickets go on sale, 19 epic images of the iconic locomotive over the years

Pictured in all her pomp, Flying Scotsman at Belle Isle near King's Cross in 1923. All photographs supplied by the National Railway Museum — Pictured in all her pomp, Flying Scotsman at Belle Isle near King’s Cross in 1923. All photographs supplied by the National Railway Museum

Ever wished you could experience the glamour and luxury of the Flying Scotsman service in its golden, steam-powered heyday?

Well now you can.

The public will be able to get up close and personal with the nation’s favourite steam star as part of the National Railway Museum’s 2016 Flying Scotsman season.

An inaugural run between London Kings Cross and York gets things underway during the engine’s ‘birthday’ month in February 2016.

And tickets for the season, exploring why this locomotive became a legend, go on sale to the public on Friday (November 6).

The Flying Scotsman locomotive itself is in the closing phases of the £4.2 million restoration project in the Bury workshop of Riley & Son Ltd.

The Flying Scotsman season

The Flying Scotsman in Derby, February 1973

The Inaugural Run

London-York

February 2016 (date TBA)

Price to be announced

Lucky ticket holders will ride behind No. 60103 Flying Scotsman, resplendent in its new BR green livery, as it makes its inaugural run between London Kings Cross and York.

Along with fellow Scotsman fans, including at least one celebrity, they can take in the sights and sounds of live steam as the world’s most famous locomotive makes a triumphant return home to the National Railway Museum.

Plane passengers talk to people on board the Flying Scotsman as both reach 90mph. This amazing Daily Herald pic dates from March 1932

Stunts, Speed and Style

NRM York

Mar 25-May 8 2016

Free

This exhibition will allow visitors to explore the history of the luxury travel between London and Edinburgh from its early days in the 19th century through to today.

Step on board four locomotives that hauled the world’s longest–established express train and learn about the stunts, speed and style that kept the service flying the flag for high-speed travel along the East Coast Main Line.

The star attraction will be Flying Scotsman displayed with the Dynamometer car that demonstrates its record-breaking reputation

Steam travel and cocktails: what a combination. LNER poster from the 1930s

Service With Style

NRM York

Mar 25-May 8 May 2016

£8

Using three carriages of the kind that travelled the Flying Scotsman route, plus archive news footage, this ticketed NRM exhibition will enable visitors to experience a story of speed, innovation, fame and luxury.

Each carriage offers a different sensory experience to bring the Flying Scotsman story to life, from 1920s cinema cars to 1930s cocktail bars.

Flying Scotsman arriving at Railfest, the NRM 2004

Scotsman on the Tracks

Various locations

Mar 12 2016 onwards

Various prices

NRM website for full details

See Flying Scotsman in action across the UK throughout 2016 and beyond.

One of the first chances to see and ride behind the finished locomotive will be on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Pickering from March 12-20.

Riley & Son (E) Ltd is managing the operation of the locomotive for the first two years.

More amazing pix

Engine men: Flying Scotsman on November 30, 1934

National Railway Museum public events manager Kate Hunter said:

If stepping on board Flying Scotsman’s cab isn’t enough, visitors can board the Flying Scotsman train and fully immerse themselves in the glamour and allure of the world’s longest–established express train throughout the ages with our ground-breaking ticketed exhibition.

Or for those who want to photograph our star attraction without the crowds there are a range of photography events.

The iconic engine and fans at King's Cross Station, London, on October 21, 1968 — The iconic engine and fans at King’s Cross Station, London, on October 21, 1968

The flagship Flying Scotsman service is known for innovations like the cinema car, cocktail bar and hairdressing salon.

All of this along with continual publicity stunts helped it grab the headlines from the very first mention of the ‘Flying Scotchman’ in 1875 – and long before the loco that took its name was built in 1923.

Flying Scotsman at the Wembley Exhibition in 1924

Flying Scotsman breaks the 100mph barrier, November 30, 1934

Museum director Paul Kirkman said:

We are also thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to experience the essence of Flying Scotsman, the most famous locomotive and express train service in the world, first-hand at our museum, through a series of innovative and colourful exhibitions and events.