Flying Scotsman to mark its 100th year with Worcester visit

The Flying Scotsman will end a series of trips celebrating its centenary with a visit to Worcester.

The world-famous steam locomotive will pull out of the city on Wednesday as part of a special Christmas service from Cambridge.

The Railway Touring Company, which organised the trip, said passengers would be able to visit Worcester's attractions.

The 97-tonne locomotive was restored ahead of events to mark its birthday.

In June, the Flying Scotsman returned to Doncaster, where it was built in 1923.

Civic Mayor of Doncaster Duncan Anderson, had described the visit as a "very special moment for everyone involved."

The engine was temporarily out of service for a safety inspection in September, after a low-speed crash in Aviemore.

A spokesman for the National Railway Museum (NRM) which owns the locomotive, said: "The centenary has been a great success and people across the country have joined us to share in the special occasion."

He said they were looking at final numbers, but knew 51,751 visitors went to the York museum over October half-term.

"We also know that 6,400 people have ridden behind Flying Scotsman this year - many thousands more will have seen it at other centenary events."

The Worcester Christmas Express service is expected to pass through Barnt Green, Bromsgrove and Droitwich. Its arrival in the region led to some excitement on social media, but trip organisers said they do not give timings for public viewings because of safety reasons.

The Flying Scotsman's final stop on the centenary calendar will be at Locomotion, in Shildon, County Durham, where it will be displayed until 7 January.

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