Bidders inspect Flying Scotsman

The original Flying Scotsman was built in 1923

Experts who hope to keep the famous Flying Scotsman in the UK will inspect the locomotive on Thursday before bidding to buy it.

A team from York's National Railway Museum will travel to west London to look over the 81-year-old steam train.

An appeal was launched after delays in building an Edinburgh visitor centre prompted its sale, and rumours it could go to a foreign buyer.

The final bid to buy the national treasure will be entered on 2 April.

The inspection, led by head of the National Railway Museum Andrew Scott, will take place at Southall Railway Centre in Middlesex.

Private owners

The museum has been gathering pledges of support for its 'Save Our Scotsman' appeal, launched last month.

The Flying Scotsman currently pulls the Venice Simplon-Orient Express trains which run out of Victoria station in London.

Announcing the sale in February, chief executive of Flying Scotsman plc Peter Butler said they were disappointed but had been unable to progress with a proposed visitor centre in Edinburgh.

The company instructed international property advisers GVA Grimley to sell the Flying Scotsman steam engine - or locomotive No 4472 as it is officially known.

Mr Scott said that when it was not pulling trains, the train would be on display in York as well as at the museum's new visitor attraction at Shildon, County Durham.

The locomotive was made in Doncaster in 1923, and remained in main line passenger service until 1963.

It went through a string of private owners until Flying Scotsman plc was formed in 2001.

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Have you travelled on the Flying Scotsman?

I remember the Flying Scotsman in Toronto during its Canadian tour in, I believe, the 1970's. It would be a tragedy if this mighty symbol of a past industrial age is removed from the very country where the train and the industrial revolution started.
Terry Fox, Toronto Canada

I for one don't want to see this national treasure shipped overseas - I'll be donating to the "Save our Scotsman Appeal" (through the NRM website) and suggest other sympathetic people do the same.
Will Blomfield, Sheffield

4472 is a part of the country's 20th century history, and must be retained here at home - getting funding to recover it from a third (failed) trip abroad might be the straw that would break the camel's back It belongs (preferably in working order) alongside Mallard at the NRM - they are together the supreme example of Sir Nigel Gresley's superb locomotive engineering skills With all respects to another contributor, it would be an insult to the memory of SNG to locate it at Swindon! P.S. Yes, I am biased - I too have been on the footplate of 4472, and still have a piece of coal "rescued" on that occasion
Bill Foote, Hampshire UK

Hmm, the Flying Scotsman, a national treasure for sure. Such things remind us that there was once a 'Great' in Britain. National treasures need saving. Now, if only there was some sort of national fund from which sufficient monies could be donated to ensure that the old girl has a future in the UK. Ah, yes, I forgot - the National Lottery... isn't that what it's for?
Russell Gilbert, London, England

It represents many things to so many people Ian Brown, Pontefract UK

The Flying Scotsman is a national treasure. It represents many things to so many people. To me it was my first encounter with the world of railways. I was brought up in York and I had an aunt who lived at the lineside of the East Coast main line north of Borobridge in a converted rail carriage. It was the one of the most exciting things I have ever known when either the Flying Scotsman or an A3 such as Mallard or the Silver Fox came past the carriage at high speed. So let's ensure we retain this piece of history in this country at the NRM york, and also lets ensure it is seen by lots of people, where it belongs, on the rails.
Ian Brown, Pontefract UK

Its a great pity that it has come to the same end as many of our national heritage peices, sold off to highest private overseas bidder with no regard for our industrial history. Surely this a very good case for the Heritage Fund to pay up and save it for the nation's heritage. A better cause than some of the things it has saved
Jeff Oliver, Trowbridge UK

I had no interest in trains until my son who at 2 discovered steam trains. He is now 4 and is longing to see the REAL Flying Scotsman rather than just his model or pictures in his book. He can name a lot of the steam trains and his face lights up when he sees them. His enthusiasm for siderods, boilers, pistons, buffers and all the other parts of the train have made me become a practical expert and this enthusiasm has rubbed off onto me and other members of my family. I think this train is beautiful and should never be allowed to be sold out of the UK. How else will our children learn about their heritage
Lisa, UK

If we accept that there are parts of our national heritage that we want to preserve for future generations, and the large number of stately homes, art galleries and museums suggests a lot of people do, then we must consider the Flying Scotsman part of this. Whether you are a steam enthusiast or not, this particular engine represents a period when the UK was a transport pioneer and society was enthused by the glamour and excitement of long-distance travel. It had a social impact in reducing the journey time between London and Edinburgh which in long run has made travelling these distances commonplace (which was not true a century ago). As an emblem of social change it should be treasured as much as any art piece or aristocrat's house.
Andy, London

4472 should remain in this country, it's as simple as that. I have ridden behind her many times and seen her many more times too. She has brought pleasure to countless numbers of people and the prospect of her going abroad permanently is out of the question.
Ian Bowskill, Stotfold, Beds

Sad though it would be if the Scotsman were lost for the country, shouldn't we invest in our current rail system and try to get that working first?
Deirdre, Dorset

Of course I agree that the Flying Scotsman should remain in Britain. I do have fond memories of the loco's visit to Canada over 30 years ago. For the princely sum of one Canadian dollar, I was able to take a short ride on the footplate during the visit to the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.
David Brain, Mississauga, Canada

Golden Days of Steam? My dad was an engineer. Out in the cold mornings to fire up the boiler, constantly adjust this valve and that lever to keep it running, stop every now and then to top up water, back-breaking shovelling of coal, a maximum 8 hours running a day then back to the depot where the fire had to be dumped, everything damped down, hours of cleaning before it all started again the next day. Be realistic - would you want to do that as a job? Ah the good old days. The Scotsman is a charismatic and beautiful piece of machinery but when was the last time most people even thought about it prior to seeing the news article? How many years? So would we miss it if it went abroad? No. Sorry but, from my perspective, it's the truth
Bob Anderson, Edinburgh

I have no particular love of steam trains but even I can see that the Flying Scotsman is as important to our countries culture as Concord or the 'Madonna with the pinks'. There is no question that it should be saved, what else is the lottery for? - It could go to Swindon though.
Matthew Hawkins, Stroud

We should be proud of our heritage and not sell it to the highest bidder Paul, Newcastle

Sadly this will undoubtedly go the same way as all other great British inventions - snapped up by the Americans or other countries. We should be proud of our heritage and not sell it to the highest bidder.
Paul, Newcastle

As a steam train enthusiast, I would like to see 4472 continue main line excursions in Britain. It would also be nice if Network Rail would allow steam trains to run in Ayrshire, where a local group continually have a hard time getting permission to run trains over a quarter mile long line which is rarely used anyway.
Andrew Thom, Ayr, UK

February 1984 .Coming of the slip road from the Forth Road Bridge I observed hundreds of people on the railway cutting, north of the Forth Bridge . Asking what was going on, I found out that 4472 was comming in about 20 minutes. I sped home for the cameras and returned to find the cutting crowded with hundreds of people waiting for 4472. I got the best photos I have ever taken with the engine going at full pelt towards Inverkiething.

The Government or the lottery should make sure this treasure stays in this country (they've drivelled away millions on irrelevant projects)or why not add a few million on to the price of the Scottish parliament, it wouldn't be noticed. Let future generations appreciate what this country created and have pride in it. This machine is unique.
George Smith, Kelty, Scotland

We MUST keep 4472 in running condition and in the UK. National Treasure is not an exaggeration in this case. Mention Flying Scotsman to any Brit. and they'll know what you're talking about; it set numerous speed records during its operational life; was known from the early days as "The King of Locomotives"; and is the only surviving member of Sir Nigel Gresley's classic 'A3' class of locomotives, the rest having been cut up in breakers yards across the land in the 1960s. Some say "let the Americans buy it, they'll look after it" - well they may not, restrictions on the use of steam locos on US main lines being even more draconian than in the UK. They are just as likely to fill its boiler with concrete and put it on display in a children's playground with a potted plant in its funnel - until rust sends it to the same fate as its brethren.
Bob Evans, High Wycombe, UK

Even if the money were raised to buy the locomotive, would there be the money to maintain it? Any engine of that era needs endless care to keep it running. If a group, anywhere in the world, has the money to do that then it should be given the chance to run it. The lesson from old trains like the Flying Scotsman should be how extraordinary modern trains are - quiet, clean and faster than any old boiler on wheels - lets celebrate the modern world!
Lewis Graham, Stevenage, UK

When I was a child 4472 used to pass within 400 yards of our house on the way north/ south. It was STUNNING to hear it approach and the noise-steam-power as it whooshed past at full speed as it approached Peterborough was awesome to behold. We need to keep it in the UK. It is an important part of our heritage.
Alan Patterson, Farcet Nr Peterborough Cambs

The A3 Pacifics, along with the GWR 'Kings' stand at the apogee of British steam technology. In the 30's they led the world. We must try and keep as much of our heritage as we can in working order - it isn't the same seeing them stand idle. The awesome impressions of a huge steam engine capable of hauling 15 coach trains at 100mph. are something future generations should be able to experience 'for real'.
Mark Andrews, London

There are too many of these kettles on wheels for the preservation movement to support as it is. The real question is why the National Railway Museum is not taking proper care of its more recent acquisitions. The gas-turbine Advanced Passenger Train was allowed to get into a terrible state as was electric class 84 and the diesel class 50. The full historical importance of these exhibits will not become fully apparent for some time, but the NRM only seems interested in dinosaur steam engines.
Mark Drury, Stockport, UK

Flying Scotsman was and remains the stand-out icon of a period when British steam technology led the world Jim Marshall, York, England

Its driver let me stand on the footplate of the Flying Scotsman at Edinburgh's Waverley station when I was a small boy in the 1960s. I think the machine was still in mainline service at the time - although not for much longer. It was an impressive experience. I was later given a Hornby model of the loco as a Xmas present. For people of several generations, the Flying Scotsman was and remains the stand-out icon of a period when British steam technology led the world. If the opportunity to display the two greatest symbols of British steam rail (Scotsman and Mallard) together at our National Railway Museum in York is not taken and the Scotsman goes abroad, I feel the custodians of our industrial heritage will have let the nation down.
Jim Marshall, York, England

How much did we spend on the Millennium Dome? Methinks we can afford this one easily.
Simon Brookes, Leicester UK

I have only seen the Flying Scotsman once when up at Peak Rail some 2-3 years ago and it pulled the carriages of the restaurant car, it was a great day and the crowds were really unbelievable, this locomotive's attraction is unsurpassed by any other and the need to keep it in Britain for future generations is in the nations best interest, let's not lose something else of our national heritage to Europe
Tim, Derby

If more than £10m was found earlier this year for an attributed Raphael (the Madonna with the Pinks) so it could remain and give pleasure to many in this country, surely the case for finding money for the Flying Scotsman is just as strong. It gives as much pleasure or more to a different but just as deserving public. Money has to be found for one of this country's most well-known and well-loved objects.
Robert Gardiner, Cambridge, England

My grandfather was one of the drivers of the Flying Scotsman - he used to recount such wonderful stories of this fantastic engine. It would be such a sad day if this national treasure ended up abroad and I know that my grandfather would be fighting its cause if he were still alive today. Keep the Scotsman British!
Jo, UK

The government and industry have got together in the past to purchase a 'famous' painting, that doesn't mean a lot to many people, so why is a 'famous' UK-built steam loco legend different? It's a UK treasure so everything must be done to keep it here for everyone to see.
Steve Adams, Sheffield, UK

The days of steam will return! When the electricity and oil run out we'll have to go back to steam in the same way that the end of Concorde meant the end of supersonic flight. The return of steam will be a great day. Let's also get rid of mobile phones, go back to calling a radio a wireless and reinvent the country! Yes - keep 4472. It's a memory from a time when life was much simpler and better.
Paul Charleton, UK

It's only a train. The history and memories will never fade but spending a disproportionate amount of money on one old engine does not strike me as the best investment of public or even private funds.
Scott, Edinburgh, Scotland

Scott, Edinburgh "its only a train"? Ah but it isn't Scott, thats where you're lack of imagination and passion has failed you. "Only a train" are the anonymous tin boxes that roll into Waverly each day, the flying Scotsman represents the greatest of British Engineering and is BEAUTIFUL. Steam engines have characterises that allow people to feel empathy with them. Logical thinking is the beginning of wisdom Scott, not the end.

Jim Daniels, Surrey "a brute with poor breaks in the wet" has it?! So does my 1949 Riley but it has more charisma in its front bumpers than my brand new BMW has in its entirety. Dont allow the mechanics to blind you to the bigger picture that this is a beautiful graceful old lady that has brought joy to countless people. You would never go to Munich to see her, lets be honest so be glad that there are still many people in this country who would make the effort to see the engine if she remains in this great country. How do you feel the engine drivers feel about their lives driving the modern trains of today by the way?! Do you think it makes them proud? By keeping the engine in this country, we celebrate and appreciate the great engineers who designed and built this amazing steam engine.
Jamie Young, Edinburgh

The Flying Scotsman is a national treasure Steve Osgood, Flitwick, UK

The Flying Scotsman is a national treasure and as such should be part of the National Collection in the National Railway Museum. The 4472 was the very first steam engine I saw back in about 1973, aged 3 my Dad took me through the corridor in the locomotive's tender which was used for crews to change without the need to stop the train. This allowed non-stop running between Kings Cross and Edinburgh. The Government must refuse an export licence if the UK bid fails. Yes I am a railway enthusiast and yes I am biased!
Steve Osgood, Flitwick, UK

This is part of our heritage and should not be sold off to overseas buyers. It's about time the National lottery starting putting money into projects protecting our heritage for future generations. This should be in a working museum in the UK!
Ian, Bristol, UK

Unfortunately we haven't been able to travel on the 4472. For my dad's 60th birthday I bought him tickets to travel on it but they changed the departure times of the train and he missed out. Dad works on the railway and because he has to travel to different incidents at the drop of a hat he is called 4472 - with him being Scottish to its an apt name. The engine should stay in the UK and I fully support the appeal that the NRM is running. I shall be sending my donation shortly.
Heather Fyfe, Harlow, England

As a boy, I remember my father taking me to Sundon, Bedfordshire to see the last British Railways scheduled service of the Flying Scotsman fly past. After that, sadly, it became a rare occasion to see a steam train on a main line run.
Bruce Thomas, Venlo, The Netherlands

I was lucky enough to travel from London to York on the footplate of the Flying Scotsman when it had been bought by Alan Pegler, who was a friend of my parents. Mr Pegler used to run it between London and York with train enthusiasts on board as a private thing. It was very, very exciting and ever since then I have had a soft spot for the train and always read about its news! I DO hope it can be kept in this country - it really should be, but if not at least the Americans (who will presumably get it eventually) have the resources to look after it as it deserves!
Carolyn Tate, London

I have driven the Flying Scotsman. A brute with poor braking characteristics in the wet. I am not so full of nostalgia that I feel a need to keep it in the UK. Travel is so cheap nowadays that it possibly would be cheaper for me to visit it in Munich rather than going to York
Jim Daniels, Chobham Woking Surrey

Although 4472 has never been a real favourite of mine it is sad that the locomotive was excluded from the official list of engines drawn up for preservation as part of the National Collection. This was due to the prevailing criteria at the time and unfortunately Flying Scotsman could not be included. For the same reason L.M.S.R. No. 6100 Royal Scot was left out and fortunately private individuals had the will to save both engines for the nation even if it was for other reasons at the time. However time has moved on and attitudes have changed from the 1960s when it was the fashion to obliterate anything deemed to be old fashioned. It is vital that this locomotive, part of our National Heritage, should remain in this country, and the only appropriate custodian is indeed the National Railway Museum. I cannot share the views of Jim Daniels. Perhaps he hasn't the aptitude for driving steam locomotives.
John Bennett., Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, England.

April 27, 1994 - the day my first son was born and the day my wife's former company floated on the stock market. Why is that relevant? The company was Oxford Molecular, and the man who announced both events at the meeting in the pub that evening was Tony Marchington - he went on to buy the Flying Scotsman and arrange for the most expensive steam engine restoration in history. 4472 is a part of Britain's heritage. Anyone who has seen it steaming across the viaducts on the East Coast Main Line can hardly doubt this. I would be greatly saddened if 4472 did not remain in running order, and run on the main line at least sometimes.
Guy Chapman, Reading, UK