Spring saw the record-breaking ‘Flying Scotsman’ steam locomotive arrive at Swanage Railway where it was reunited with a rare Pullman observation carriage for the first time in almost 50 years
Owned by the National Railway Museum in York, the iconic 97-tonne A3 class locomotive – completed in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway (L.N.E.R.) – was in residence at the award-winning Purbeck heritage railway from 22 March to 10 April.
Coupled behind No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ was a late 1940s Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage – known as Car 14 – that dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers rescued from San Francisco in 2007 where it was being used as a company boardroom. Between 1969 and 1972 the ‘Flying Scotsman’ ran with the Devon Belle Car 14 during a tour of the USA aimed at promoting British exports. When the company running the tour went bankrupt the ‘Flying Scotsman’ returned home, but the Pullman observation carriage remained in the USA. The iconic steam engine last visited the Swanage Railway in 1994, so unsurprisingly the ‘Flying Scotsman’ service quickly sold out.
The Swanage Railway is keen to hear from new volunteers, call Mike Whitwam on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk.
Find out more at swanagerailway.co.uk.
