The National Railway Museum (NRM) announced that the restoration of Flying Scotsman has successfully reached a number of major milestones in recent weeks bringing the iconic locomotive’s return to steam much closer.
Within the last week, Flying Scotsman’s boiler has successfully passed both its hydraulic test and its out-of-frames steam test following restoration work at Riley & Son Ltd. The hydraulic test assessed the strength of the boiler ensuring that it will hold water at high pressure and the out-of-frames steam test proved the boiler is fit for purpose before it is fitted to the locomotive’s chassis. Flying Scotsman’s wheels have also been refitted to the locomotive’s chassis ready for the boiler and chassis to be reunited in a few weeks time.
Steve Davies, Director of the NRM, said:
“The restoration of Flying Scotsman is at an incredibly exciting stage. Passing these tests and refitting the wheels represent huge milestones in the restoration so it really is thrilling to know how close we are to see her operating once again.”
As the restoration nears completion, ‘Scotsman fans will be given the chance to get a preview of their favourite locomotive in wartime LNER black for the first time since the 1940s. During this Preview Weekend on 28-30 May, Flying Scotsman will also be without the smoke deflectors that will be carried when she runs on the main line. Visitors to the Museum at this special event will be able to see No.4472 take centre stage on the NRM’s turntable and take part in a range of talks and craft activities about the iconic locomotive.
Image: Flying Scotsman: trial-fitting the boiler to the chassis (detail), National Railway Museum
More details will be made available at the official Flying Scotsman website www.flyingscotsman.org.uk in the coming months. Scotsman fans can also sign up to the National Railway Museum e-newsletter for the latest news on their favourite locomotive.