With one month to go until Flying Scotsman arrives in Devon on her maiden journey into Cornwall, Stream Dreams has announced that the iconic steam locomotive – the first to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour – will be double-headed with an engine from the same design shed, B1 Mayflower, for the first time since 1976.
Steam Dreams is also announcing that, due to unprecedented demand, an additional leg will be added to her Cornwall journey with a trip from Plymouth to Par (return) taking place on Saturday 6 October.
Flying Scotsman’s historic Devon and Cornwall tour: 4-8 October
Flying Scotsman will travel in to Devon for the first time since restoration, on 4 October 2018, departing from Taunton to Plymouth at 16.30, taking in the dramatic water-front stretch along the Exe Estuary, past Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth and the shores of the Teign Estuary, before passing through Newton Abbot, skirting the Southern edge of Dartmoor, and heading to Plymouth. Tickets are available for the journey in one of four classes, returning diesel-hauled to Taunton.
She then travels from Plymouth to Penzance on a sold-out trip, before returning to Plymouth for the additional trip to Par on Saturday 6 October, leaving Plymouth at approximately 1700hrs.
Crossing the famous Brunel-designed Tamar Bridge at Saltash, Flying Scotsman will be double-headed with fellow LNER locomotive BI Class 61306, Mayflower, on a trip that is timed to allow dining passengers to have dinner on the train; passengers in Pullman Style Dining and Premier Dining will be served champagne and canapés followed by an evening meal. Passengers will then return diesel-hauled to Plymouth.
On Monday 8 October Flying Scotsman and Mayflower will journey north from Plymouth to Exeter (departing at 0900), taking in the dramatic estuary and coastline leg, before boarding new passengers at Exeter (1530) on the final phase of the West Country tour, taking passengers from Exeter to Bristol, who return diesel hauled.
Throughout the trip the locomotives will be tested on the switchback gradients. As the line climbs through Devon and Cornwall, passengers will enjoy the thrill of hearing the world’s most famous locomotive working hard alongside Mayflower.
Steam Dreams Founder Marcus Robertson is delighted to be giving passengers in Devon and Cornwall the opportunity to enjoy Flying Scotsman first hand: “It really should be the most fantastic celebration of an icon of British engineering. Wherever the locomotive has been, the crowds have come out in amazing numbers. It goes without saying that in planning these trips we will be working with the British Transport Police and station staff to ensure that while we really want people to see the loco, we want them to do so safely and lawfully.”
Jim Lowe, head of operations at the National Railway Museum, said: “In the past two years, Flying Scotsman has been seen by thousands of people as we embarked on a national tour of heritage railways and scenic main line routes across the UK, but the locomotive has not visited Devon or Cornwall since being restored - until now.
“This will be an exciting experience for everyone and even in the days of steam, a visiting London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) locomotive such as Flying Scotsman would have been a rare sight, so I’m sure this special locomotive will receive a warm welcome.”
David Buck, Owner of Steam Dreams added: “Flying Scotsman is synonymous with world records. It was the first steam locomotive to reach 100 mph in 1934 and then set the record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles in 1989. Now we are bringing Flying Scotsman through Devon, in to Cornwall for the first time ever. It is a privilege to be part of this historic occasion and I am delighted Steam Dreams, with the help of Rileys and the National Railway Museum, can make it happen."
David added: “Mayflower’s appearance on these tours is no coincidence as plans are already in hand for this magnificent locomotive, which has never been to Plymouth, to be part of the 2020, 400th anniversary celebration of Mayflower setting sail from Plymouth to North America.
“Full details are yet to be confirmed, but we hope to take Mayflower to all parts of the UK that have an association with the early colonisation of North America. The plan is to culminate this tour with a trip to Plymouth, coinciding with the Mayflower 400 celebrations that will commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth UK to Plymouth Massachusetts.”
Passengers interested in buying tickets on Flying Scotsman for themselves, friends or family, can travel in one of four classes. Prices start from £89 per person in Premium Standard, where passengers are seated at tables of four, with crisp white tablecloths and complimentary tea and coffee at their seats.
For passengers looking to travel without compromise, Pullman Style Dining in original Metcam Pullman carriages or refurbished First Class carriages with wood panelling, comfortable seats, table lamps and curtains at the window, can be booked from £225. Here passengers can enjoy glasses of champagne and canapes before being served a two or three-course meal with a complimentary half bottle of wine per person. Champagne brunches and cream teas are served on morning or afternoon journeys.
Tickets are available in most classes for the Taunton to Plymouth trip on 4 October, the Plymouth to Par trip on 6 October, and the Plymouth to Exeter, and Exeter to Bristol legs of the tour on 8 October.
Anyone interested in travelling with Steam Dreams should call the Booking Office on 01483 209888 or visitwww.SteamDreams.co.uk.
