THE legendary locomotive, the Flying Scotsman, will be visiting West Somerset this summer to run services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

Built in 1923, No 60103 Flying Scotsman will be visiting the West Somerset Railway in June and July as part of a nationwide celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

Last hosted by the West Somerset Railway in 2017, the iconic steam train is set to return to run services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead from June 28-30, and July 1-2 and 8-12. Static displays will also be available at Bishops Lydeard from June 26-27, and July 3-7 and 13-14.

On the days when the Flying Scotsman is running, visitors can join West Somerset Railway for one full length journey of the line, and a return journey behind one of their home fleet locomotives. Further evening excursions will also be running in June and July.

Built in Doncaster for the London and North Eastern Railway, the Flying Scotsman was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class – the most powerful trains used by the railway.

In 1989, the Scotsman set the world record for a non-stop run in a steam locomotive with a 422-mile trip. It is also officially the first locomotive to reach 100mph, and the first to circumnavigate the globe.

More than 100 years after its construction, the locomotive will return to the UK’s railways as the nation celebrates 200 years since the first fare-paying passenger journey on the Stockton and Darlington Line on September 27, 1825.

The National Railway Museum, where the train is currently housed, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, with a range of events, including having the Flying Scotsman on display throughout April.

Tickets to access West Somerset Rail events will go on sale on their website at 9.30am on Wednesday, April 23.