An extra special treat is being lined up for Swanage Railway’s 50th anniversary – the world famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive will visit the heritage line in Dorset for ten days during autumn 2026.
The iconic locomotive, famous for being the first steam loco in the UK to haul a train at 100 miles an hour, will be based on the Swanage Railway line from Friday 23rd October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
The arrival of the Flying Scotsman in 2019 attracted large crowds to Swanage station and the surrounding roads
Bring a buzz to Swanage
This isn’t the first time the Flying Scotsman has come to Swanage. There was much excitement and large crowds when the locomotive visited in 2019 and 2022 and it’s hoped it will bring the same buzz to the town again, especially as it’s a celebratory year in 2026 for Swanage Railway.
It is 50 years since volunteers started the huge task of restoring the branch line after its closure by British Rail in 1972.
Starting out with just a small group of enthusiasts in 1976, the heritage railway has grown into a large tourist attraction for Purbeck.
Bringing the Flying Scotsman to Swanage is expected to draw in the crowds again over the autumn half term school holiday.
Everyone was keen to glimpse the world famous loco
During a test run in 1934, the Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive in the UK to haul a train at 100 miles an hour
Remarkable achievement
Costing £7,944 to build in 1923, it was named Flying Scotsman because its journey time between London and Edinburgh was only eight hours – a remarkable achievement at the time.
In 1963 with diesel locomotives taking over from steam, the Nigel Gresley-designed No. 60103 Flying Scotsman was withdrawn from service.
Between 1969 and 1972 the Flying Scotsman was coupled with the Devon Belle carriage in the US during a tour of the country to promote British exports.
The company went bust and the loco was brought back to the UK, while the Devon Belle remained in the US.
By fortune, the Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage was rescued by Swanage Railway volunteers from San Francisco in 2007 and now, fully restored, it is based in Swanage.
This provides the opportunity for the Flying Scotsman and the Devon Belle to work together again when the loco visits Swanage over the autumn half term school holiday.
Purchased by the National Railway Museum in 2004, the Flying Scotsman was restored thanks to a £4.2 million grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as from public donations.
Flying Scotsman and the Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage in 2022
Two icons in one shot – Corfe Castle and the Flying Scotsman
“Thrill of travelling in style”
Swanage Railway chief executive officer Abbie King said she was delighted the Flying Scotsman was visiting during the heritage railway’s 50th anniversary year:
“It feels especially meaningful to be able to share such a world famous and iconic steam locomotive with both our local community and visitors alike, as we celebrate five decades of rebuilding, preserving and operating a heritage railway in the Isle of Purbeck.
“The public will have the rare chance to experience the excitement and thrill of travelling in style in the Devon Belle as it is hauled by the world’s most famous steam locomotive through the beautiful Purbeck countryside and past the historic ruins of Corfe Castle.
“We are deeply grateful to the National Railway Museum for its continued support of the Swanage Railway and for helping us to bring this very special 50th anniversary to life with the visit of the Flying Scotsman.”
Further information
- More about Flying Scotsman’s visit to the Swanage Railway
