HUNDREDS of heritage rail enthusiasts braved rain and strong winds to line the West Somerset Railway track this week and wave a welcome to the legendary Flying Scotsman locomotive on its first public West Country outing since its £4.5 million restoration.
On Wednesday’s first trip for the paying public, spectators arrived at the line up to two hours earlier to bag the best vantage points on bridges and embankments.
Popular spots were Blue Anchor, Watchet, Washford and Crowcombe, with farmers providing parking for £5 a car reporting a brisk trade.
The non-stop service between Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, which runs until Tuesday for 10,700 pre-booked passengers, started on Tuesday with two trips for children from 15 schools in the area.
“The months of preparation for the locomotive’s visit really paid off,” said WSR chaiman Alan Nicholson.
Crowds thronged the Bishops Lydeard platform as the 94-year-old LNER Class A3 Pacific, now back in its original green livery, was readied for its first trip and its crew of four given a last-minute briefing.
* The Flying Scotsman has a day off today (Friday) but will then run from tomorrow until Tuesday.
Lots of photos in the Free Press (September 8)