The first steam locomotive to haul a passenger train non-stop from London to Scotland, the Flying Scotsman, is back in service after three years of restoration. From London, passengers can now take luxury day-trips on board Pullman-style carriages to various destinations.
The Flying Scotsman, with its distinctive apple-green livery, was built in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway. After 3.2 million kilometres, it was withdrawn from service in 1963 and sold for preservation. Since then it has toured the United States and Australia. By 1995 the engine was in pieces; it was rescued by Dr Tony Marchington, a pharmaceutical engineer from Derby, who bought it in 1996 and restored it.
More than a dozen trips from London are planned this year to destinations such as Salisbury, Norwich, and Shakespeare country, through Warwick to Stratford-upon-Avon. A millennium trip to Scotland will depart in the 20th century and return in the 21st.
For information on tours phone (44-1543) 250865, or fax (44-1543) 417531.
Meanwhile, a nine-day Scottish Highland Rail festival will begin on September 25, with steam train running over some of Scotland's most scenic routes.
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