THE world-famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ steam locomotive ended a hugely successful fortnight’s stay with the West Somerset Railway (WSR) on Monday (July 15).

The iconic locomotive provided a massive financial boost for the heritage line, which has been running at a loss of more than £8,000 a week according to its latest accounts.

Engine no 60103 hauled its final West Somerset passengers on Sunday after an extra day’s running was added following the cancellation of services on Friday.

It then went on static display in Bishops Lydeard Station for the last time on Monday.

Friday’s cancellations were due the heatwave causing track problems which the WSR’s permanent way team could not put right until the temperature cooled in the evening.

WSR chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt said: “Unfortunately, the decision was made to suspend operations.

“There have also been concerns with staff welfare and ensuring they are working in safe conditions given the extreme weather temperatures.

“This was a difficult decision to make and I am aware there are disappointed customers at this special time of operations on the line.”

WSR general manager Kerry Noble said: “Fortunately, many of the passengers who had booked for the Friday were able to change their plans and enjoy the Sunday journeys.”

The Flying Scotsman ran four services between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard on Sunday, but it meant the day’s scheduled static display had to be scrapped and visitors who had booked tickets were emailed with options available to them.

Ms Noble thanked the railway’s volunteers and staff for the hard work they put in during the fortnight of special operations and the periods of extreme heat which West Somerset experienced.

She said: “In addition to the track maintenance team, the heat was a challenge for everybody on the WSR.

“Most obviously, there were the footplate crews who spent several hours adjacent to and feeding a large firebox full of red hot coal, but it was very warm work for all the on-train staff.

“The staffed stations on the Bristol Channel coast had some breeze, but the people on duty from the car parking welcome at Bishops Lydeard to the signalmen in their boxes all had to work in unusual summer conditions.

“We owe them a major ‘thank you’ for making the passengers and visitors welcome and giving them a journey to remember.”

Ms Noble said the WSR had learned from the Flying Scotsman’s last visit in 2017 and this time made many more tickets available for purchase in the hope that everybody who wanted a trip or to make a static visit could do so.

She said the crowds drawn to travel on or see the locomotive had given the WSR an ‘all-important boost to finances’.

Ms Noble said: “In turn, that helps with the costs of maintaining and improving the line, beyond this year of Railway 200.

“We would like to record our thanks to the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam for making the locomotive available for us to hire and for varying the agreement to let us run on the Sunday.”