The world famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive marks its 100th year in 2023 - and will stop over in Stevenage during 'The Great Yarmouth Flyer' tour.

The Railway Touring Company is running a series of mainline steam tours, including ‘The Great Yarmouth Flyer’ from Hertford North and Stevenage stations, as part of the Flying Scotsman Centenary celebrations organised by the National Railway Museum.

The Flying Scotsman will pay Hertford and Stevenage a visit on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

On this day, the train will set out from London Kings Cross, stopping at Hertford North and Stevenage en route for the popular east coast seaside resort.

The Comet: As part of its centenary, The Flying Scotsman will stop in Stevenage and Hertford for a Railway Tour excursionAs part of its centenary, The Flying Scotsman will stop in Stevenage and Hertford for a Railway Tour excursion (Image: Bob Green)

Passengers will travel in the company of the 100-year-old locomotive through scenic Cambridgeshire and the Fens with views of Ely Cathedral towering over the flat Fenland landscape along the way. 

The train will stop at Norwich where a diesel locomotive will take over for the final stretch to Great Yarmouth. 

However, having been serviced at Norwich, the Flying Scotsman will be waiting at Great Yarmouth to haul the train for the full return journey.

Officially the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph, 60103 Flying Scotsman left Doncaster Works in 1923. 

Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built for the LNER, the locomotive was named ‘Flying Scotsman’ after operating the daily 10am service between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, and continued in regular service until 1963 and then later in preservation. 

Today, it is owned by the National Railway Museum in York and is operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd. 

Heritage rail operator The Railway Touring Company, which has been organising steam days out for 25 years, is delighted to be working with the National Railway Museum to deliver a special programme of rail tours for Flying Scotsman on the mainline in 2023.

The Railway Touring Company’s MD Kelly Osborne said: “The Railway Touring Company is very excited to be working in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Riley & Son and operator West Coast Railways Company for the 2023 celebrations.

“With kind assistance from all involved, we have designed a programme of mainline steam day tours that will take Flying Scotsman to many parts of England, Scotland and Wales. 

"We hope rail enthusiasts young and old will join us on board The Great Yarmouth Flyer from Hertford and Stevenage, for what promises to be a memorable day out.”

The National Railway Museum has published a calendar of Flying Scotsman events at https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman/centenary-programme. 

Anyone who wishes to see Flying Scotsman along the route should only do so from a safe and permitted place.

The Flying Scotsman Centenary Programme has been supported by Hornby and has been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

For more details or to book for ‘The Great Yarmouth Flyer’ with Flying Scotsman, visit www.railwaytouring.net.