New exhibition to celebrate the centenary of Flying Scotsman

Flying Scotsman, the world’s most famous steam locomotive, turns 100 in February 2023. It was built at Doncaster Works and went into service on 24 February 1923. Synonymous with the golden age of rail travel, it is renowned as a feat of design and engineering. Events will be taking place, across Doncaster and throughout the year, to mark this significant milestone.

Cllr Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Culture and Planning said: “Doncaster has an incredible rail heritage and we will always be proudly associated with Flying Scotsman which is considered the most famous locomotive in the world.

“We have an exciting programme of events with our schools, museums and libraries and for members of the public to get involved with, to learn more about this iconic loco and its strong links to our city.

“Flying Scotsman is scheduled to stop at a number of places in Yorkshire this year. However, we of course want to see Flying Scotsman here in Doncaster, at its birthplace, so we are in discussions with the National Rail Museum, and other parties, to negotiate a potential visit.”

Cllr Ball added: “The exhibition is a wonderful way to begin our celebratory events with a first opportunity to view the full collection of original watercolours by Michael Foreman from the new book Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever.”

Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever (Thames & Hudson) - written by Michael Morpurgo, one of UK’s best-loved authors and storytellers and illustrated by Michael Foreman – was published in October 2022 to kick off the centenary celebrations. It tells the story of a little girl who dreams of driving Flying Scotsman when she grows up. The special exhibition at Danum Gallery Library and Museum will be opening on 11 February.

Michael Foreman, an internationally renowned, multi award-winning children’s book illustrator and author, said: “I am very honoured to have been invited to exhibit my work at The Danum Gallery to celebrate this anniversary and the publication of Flying Scotsman and the

Best Birthday Ever. There can be no more fitting venue for the exhibition than Doncaster, the birthplace of Flying Scotsman.” The programme of Flying Scotsman events taking place in Doncaster is available to view at www.dglam.org.uk/whats-on/ flying-scotsman

Flying Scotsman is now a star attraction in the collection of the National Railway Museum (part of the Science Museum Group) in York, where it is a working museum exhibit.

During the centenary year, the general public will have the chance to see Flying Scotsman at several locations across the country. More information is available at www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman

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