Flying Scotsman: See Inside the World's Most Famous Steam Locomotive | Curator with a Camera

On 24 February 2023 Flying Scotsman celebrates its 100th birthday. Known and loved across the world, in 1934 Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive to officially achieve a speed of 100mph.
Anthony Coulls takes us on a detailed tour of the legendary vehicle in steam at King's Cross station in London at the launch of its centenary celebrations. Uncover the Nigel Gresley-designed engine’s fascinating engineering secrets and find out what it’s like to drive. You'll even get to have a look inside the firebox!
Want to see Flying Scotsman at the National Railway Museum? It's on display from 1-23 April 2023, but you'll need to book (free) tickets in advance. Find out more and book here:
www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/what...
Also from 1 April you'll be able to do our brand-new Flying Scotsman VR experience at the museum. Find out more and book here:
www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/what...
To find out more about Flying Scotsman, including its centenary programme of tours and activities:
www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flyi...
Flying Scotsman is owned by the National Railway Museum. Find out more about us and plan your visit here:
www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/
#trains #railways #london #flyingscotsman

[@0fficialdregs]

That beautiful king of an engine. No other can compete against him.

[@kennethhume8628]

Very interesting video , I’m glad that you didn’t do the normal talk on Flying Scotsman but explained some of the alterations and upgrades that make it the loco that it is today . Some people keep pressing for her to go back to Apple Green livery but the engine has changed so much that it wouldn’t be authentic unless huge sums of money were spent to revert her to look more like she did originally . Flying Scotsman is now as I remember her in my train spotting days , simply gorgeous .

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

It’d be pointless to revert Scotsman back into an A1 just to be authentic in LNER apple green , it would be nice for it to wear BR apple green from the late 40s and early 50s

[@errorgorilla]

"I remembered once, in Japan, having been to see the Gold Pavilion Temple in Kyoto and being mildly surprised at quite how well it had weathered the passage of time since it was first built in the fourteenth century. I was told it hadn’t weathered well at all and had in fact been burnt to the ground twice in this century. “So, it isn’t the original building?” I had asked my Japanese guide. “But yes, of course it is,” he insisted, rather surprised at my question. “But it’s burnt down?” “Yes.” “Twice.” “Many times.” “And rebuilt.” “Of course. It is an important and historic building.” “With completely new materials.” “But of course. It was burnt down.” “So how can it be the same building?” “It is always the same building.” I had to admit to myself that this was in fact a perfectly rational point of view, it merely started from an unexpected premise. The idea of the building, the intention of it, its design, are all immutable and are the essence of the building. The intention of the original builders is what survives. The wood of which the design is constructed decays and is replaced when necessary. To be overly concerned with the original materials, which are merely sentimental souvenirs of the past, is to fail to see the living building itself." I think of this passage by Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001) a lot. Yes, it is true that very little of Flying Scotsman today is original but it never could be. If we wanted to have preserved the original 1923 locomotive it would have needed to have rolled out of Doncaster Plant Works and straight into a museum and if that had happened it would never have accrued the history that makes it so legendary today. It needed to live, and like any living organism it is in a constant state of flux and yet somehow it is always the same.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

Look up Ship of Theseus (from Wikipedia): "The ship wherein Theseus and the youth of Athens returned from Crete had thirty oars, and was preserved by the Athenians down even to the time of Demetrius Phalereus, for they took away the old planks as they decayed, putting in new and stronger timber in their places, insomuch that this ship became a standing example among the philosophers, for the logical question of things that grow; one side holding that the ship remained the same, and the other contending that it was not the same." Then Hobbes asked, if you took the original discarded parts and built a second ship, would that not have a better claim to be the real ship?

[@althejazzman]

Very well said. Good philosophy.

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

The men who thought of naming 4472 “FLYING SCOTSMAN” in 1924 didn’t know they just created a legend that would still be around 100 years after she was built, a legend that would leave home and head to my country: America, and later would participate in Australias Bicentennial.

[@johnjosephmercadante6664]

I fell in love with engine, I brought a working model back from England, the smoke deflectors, we in America call them elephant ears.

[@jonhawkins5838]

Flying Scottsman is an excellent example of a modernized antique; like a car, it was retrofitted to meet today's standards and we get to enjoy the results.

[@Combes_]

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLYING SCOTSMAN*

[@thesudriana016]

Happy 100th Birthday to Britain's Living Legend on Rails! Long Live the Flying Scotsman!

[@bennygamingYT]

It’s a true icon of steam.

[@TheFrogfather1]

I'm just back from Waverley where she's currently sitting on platform 2!

[@mansavsingh]

Happy birthday flying scotsman

[@injunghugh9617]

What a majestic engine. The NRM seems to maintain it very well. Happy centenary Flying Scotsman!

[@Arkay315]

Truly one of Greasley's greatest.

[@johnd8892]

Or even Gresley's greatest.

[@Eleina1951]

That he is. And I've been thinking lately, all be it irrelevant after 100 years, that II would have been better to honour Nigel Gresley by naming him The Scotsman or just Scotsman. It still would've meant that that A4 could've been given Nigel's actual name.

[@Porsche_Addict05]

@@Eleina1951 it’s a she not a he

[@GeorgeLowther2000]

Happy 100th Birthday to the Legend of Steam himself. May he have dry rails & good steam for years to come.

[@Porsche_Addict05]

It’s a she not a he

[@t.m.railways]

Happy 100th Birthday Flying Scotsman! Should be seeing her in a couple of weeks at the East Lancs Railway 😃

[@northernutahlivesteam3566]

❤ Flying Scotsman

[@callum110597]

Marvellous! The Flying Scotsman is my favourite locomotive ever! Happy 100th anniversary! 🥳

[@callum110597]

Oh, yeah. That was pretty bizarre, at first. But I did learn in later years that it's to supply an extra amount of water and coal.

[@cheetahgamerz9448]

​@慶太ニャン I'm pretty certain the 2nd tender was from a scrapped LNER A4

[@Twisty2012]

I appreciate she's expensive to maintain and run, but there is so much love for her. Seeing a loco in steam is magical and stirs the emotions like few other things can. Please keep this magnificent locomotive running for future generations to fall in love with ❤️

[@derekheeps1244]

Flying Scotsman is one of a small number of historic machines that need to be preserved in working order : in no particular order , the Spitfires and lancaster bomber of the Battle of Britain memorial flight , the Avro Vulcan ( actually there are three still intact , although none currently permitted to fly ) , Concorde , VC-10 , DeHaviland Comet . How about Paddle Steamer Waverley , also a few historic cars from the dawn of motoring . All these things are special , and all need to be not only preserved , but kept in working order .

[@Zak-Z-Ninja]

Happy Centenary Flying Scotsman!

[@foo-foocuddlypoops5694]

Happy Birthday Scotsman!

[@spankflaps1365]

Smoke deflectors were called “blinkers” because of the side eye screens they put on coach/cart horses (to make the horse only look forward).

[@kristoffermangila]

This applies to the German-style smoke deflectors only, like the ones on Flying Scotsman. For the smoke deflectors that are used on say, Union Pacific's famous #844, they have a different name - "elephant ears".

[@KerbalRocketry]

Fascinating to know how much of its changed, granddad's broom, the train of theseus, but that's what I love about preserved steam. We can keep these machines running as long as we have patterns and precision engineering! they're preserved in the way they operated, as a machine that needs maintenance and replacement parts.

[@barrytipton1179]

Was triggers broom dipstick as dell would say

[@thusgordonplot4721]

Happy 100th anniversary flying Scotsman

[@saschaap9115]

Amazing to think that this engine is still going strong at 100 years. Even though it may contain very little of the original engine today, I think it is the spirit of this amazing beast of steam that really matters. I hope to see it in person one day, but for now I wish Scotsman a very, very happy 100th birthday, and here is to many more years of dry rails and smooth running!

[@CustomiZe_]

Happy Birthday Flying Scotsman! 🎉🎉

[@meuriggullidge6395]

Happy birthday flying Scotsman 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

[@38911bytefree]

I love how they kept it as it left the service, with all the changes performed as time went by or needed. Because having it on its original 1920 specs would be more like a replica, and not the REAL deal that more people is able to identify. Also love the modern train on its side. We traded Character .... for High Tech that probably in another 100 years no one will care to remember while this iron beast will be always the center of attraction.

[@Porsche_Addict05]

If it was painted in its lner apple green more people would be able to identify it

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

If you have been into railways your whole life like I have, it is next to impossible to have not heard of this machine. It is truly an incredible peddling survivor holding the highest flag of a bygone era, the living proof that era could still be going on today and the best living example of the mighty steam power. I can't exactly remember the first time I heard of Flying Scotsman but I remember one of the first times was seeing it advertised as a Hornby train set and that image of it speeding down the line with a rake of coaches on the cover is still stuck in my head. I could hear the image was saying to me, *"Look at how cool those days of steam trains were. Acknowledge and recreate the unforgettable history of these great and powerful engines."* It has always been an undying legend in mine the hearts of railfans and the one to engage those to railways who are not interested in trains. I have seen Flying Scotsman a few times and all of them were amazing experiences.

[@peterallam6494]

25/02 23, Super 100 years on. Can we have a feature on Railway Architecture, - Buildings, Viaducts, Tunnels please - many older than 60103 !

[@RedJubilee]

Wish I lived in the UK so I could visit the loco on this occasion. I can't believe it turns 100 tomorrow! Wonder how many more years it'll last...

[@superted6960]

If you ever make it to the UK, Scotsman will be here waiting for you

[@BillSikes.]

She's due for permanent retirement in 2030, from then on she'll remain a stationary exhibition at the National Railway Museum at York, England

[@peterflitcroft9756]

Nice one Anthony. First saw Flying Scotsman when I was 12 in March 1968 when it was on exhibition at an open day at Edgleley Shed, Stockport. Made quite an impression then in Apple Green among all the grimy Black 5’s and 8F’s.

[@TheFlyingPannier]

Happy 100th anniversary to the king of steam May it see another 100 years

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

Nice one

[@alindanaomi9101]

the best Curator with a Cam. Thank you for sharing with us this amazing piece of British rail history.

[@hyd_avenger6511]

Happy Birthday Flying Scotsman. 🎇🎉🎈🎆🚂 Great Job youre a 100 Year Old Brave Steam Engine.

[@Thattrainguy4334]

good job nrm

[@nigelcole1936]

Great video, Happy Birthday Flying Scotsman

[@jamieknight326]

I never realised how little of the flying Scotsman was ‘original’. However I agree with the point that it’s changes over time are what carry it’s history. It reminds me of the space shuttles. They evolved and changed over time too and very little of the orbiters on display rolled out of the factory the day they where new. Like the Flying Scotsman they are workhorses. Ironically the space shuttle that never went to space (enterprise) is arguably the most complete. Thanks for a fascinating video.

[@joshhendley4437]

I actually got to see this engine at the Bluebell Railway on display and I went through the tender and into the cab

[@lukeslocomotives]

Such a great locomotive, got my two videos on her coming out at 18:00 and 20:00, one is a 50 minute look back at her history, whilst the other is a little running session with my LNER locomotives

[@eddherring4972]

Fantastic

[@andrewdenton8510]

Thank you Anthony for another great informative Curator with a Camera. Please keep them coming. Happy birthday FS from New Zealand

[@FU2Max]

Marvellous.

[@alanhindmarch4483]

Thanks once again Anthony for another excellent video.

[@Eleina1951]

Thankyou. A very informative look at a very special locomotive. The biggest thank you goes to Nigel and his colleagues and to Alan William and everyone else who has kept this special piece of steam rail history with us and allowed us to mark this unique occasion. To all concerned I say please take care of him. He is worth the effort!!!!

[@drstrangelove4998]

An excellent video, many thanks Tony.

[@grayman999]

That was absolutely amazing thank you

[@540BC]

Fantastic video thank you

[@jacobriley9592]

A great video fitting for 100th anniversary of Flying Scotsman and a good in depth video thank you

[@jackmarknagington3254]

Honestly this loco lives and breathes British history, it breathes its own history of turmoil and success from its private owners, she is just the absolute pride of Britain in some ways because of how well know it is not just in our country but world wide, ive lived this loco from as far back as I can remember from having books when I was little to constantly watching her in the rebuild stage begging my grandpa to take me to York to see her progress in the shed on the viewing platform, just watching her run the mainline today is magical ive had the honour of watching her steam past a couple of times now and it's always the same goosebumps and that same child like feeling of meeting a hero or seeing a hero, absolute amazing peice of engineering, and it's so special she is here still 100 years later for us all to enjoy and keep the steam love alive

[@colinlothlorian]

Thanks Anthony, along with the Rocket the Flying Scotsman is known and loved by so many people, including those who would not call themselves railway enthusiasts. Here's to the second century!

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant video.

[@robertjacob5dmk3]

such a wonderfully made video thank you for sharing

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@VenGardGator]

I'm going to go see the Flying Scotsman in person at the Bluebell Railway, very excited.

[@jeanmorley8708]

Marvellous engine. Saw it at Yatton on its way back to Bristol after it’s day out to Par in Cornwall.

[@lexitdn]

Happy 100th anniversary FLYING SCOTSMAN

[@ScotlandsGold]

Wonderful, got a nice video of it running west today 😊

[@davidellis6337]

Another beautiful machine well done N R M

[@roberthocking9138]

Wonderful, words fail me.

[@the_stuart115]

What an absolutely stunning engine and a absolute pleasure to see it in person

[@comewalklife]

A legendary piece of engineering, her design simply oozes class and glory from our past. That LNER Azuma is definitely tipping its hat in respect for the old girl proudly stationed alongside. 100 years of the Flying Scotsman, happy birthday and here’s to the next 100 🚂

[@derekheeps1244]

I think the Azuma is , in its shape , trying to imitate the streamlined A4 pacifics which followed on in Scotsman's footsteps .

[@rinaldisudjatina5636]

Amazing

[@Newberntrains]

whoever is maintaining that machine does so with pride cause even in the states we cant even keep our steam locos looking that spotless while in service

[@seanbrown5511]

I always enjoy the Curator with a Camera videos!

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

Nigel Gresley would be proud to see her turn 100.

[@grahammummery5732]

Great ideas! Fencing is genius Stephen..

[@ric7larz]

Excelente!!

[@samstrainthings7540]

Happy birthday to the best steam engine ever. I have the honour of seeing it at Easter in york. I had to reupload my first which was about flying scotsman for a third time lol.

[@SimWorldLife]

I'm from Holland but what a majestic lady is this loco! Nice to see after 100 years this loco is so good preserved!😅

[@kristoffermangila]

Happy birthday to #FlyingScotsman, #60103! May you have a another century of flawless running and spectacular performance!

[@leokrisanto489]

A majesty steam locomotive. A glorious miracle from England, the world's antique steam locomotive holy land, that her smoke, still I missed in this "super digital electricity high fast flying train" era. Happy The Flying Scotsman's Centenary anniversary, Continuing the Journey. Bring happines to the world. Regards from Jakarta - Indonesia.

[@GuyChapman]

One of my lasting regrets is not blagging a footplate ride while Tony owned the Scotsman.

[@cancer_sucks]

happy birthday old girl

[@dansterland1824]

Been behind scotsman at barrowhill even come away with a bit of coal of her happy 100 year birthday scotsman heres to another 100 years 😀😀😀

[@nolancarey4500]

I just love the flying Scotsman. She is one of the most legendary trains of the world. I am just overjoyed she turned 100 years old in 2023! 💯🥳

[@metal_wheels]

Truly is, Britain's finest

[@joshhemingwaythewlismetcalfe96]

I really enjoyed this video of a Flying Scotsman at King’s Cross station. Happy 100th anniversary Flying Scotsman Thank you National Railway Museum

[@derekheeps1244]

There is only one Flying Scotsman .

[@Porsche_Addict05]

There’s only 1

[@patriciolei9193]

LONG LIVE THE FLYING SCOTSMAN

[@AmyBun]

I managed to get a chance to stand on the footplate whilst Scotsman was in steam, was a great experience.

[@davidscholz3041]

FYI When mentioned in Thomas & Friends, the Flying Scotsman's mentioned as the sole-surviving brother of Gordon the Big blue livery paintwork-carrying L N E R class A0 pacific type of steam-driven railway tender locomotive! So, technically, the Flying Scotsman's both a he and a she @ the same time!

[@davidhall5868]

Flying Scotsman is the best locomotive in the world and I think sir Nigel gresley will be very proud

[@mr.skipper4544]

Was there only one of them built, she's a peice of art

[@garenkidd4536]

I love you Anthony

[@garenkidd4536]

AND I LOVE FLYING SCOTSMAN

[@samuelfarris1949]

Before the loco was withdrawn by British Railways, people were adamant 'Flying Scotsman' would be saved for the nation, so the revelation it was dropped from consideration back in 1962 was naturally felt with much oppression. Just over forty years later, after many turbulences in private ownership, the engine did finally officially become part of the National Collection, by then truly cemented as a icon of the railways. Also, it was Kings Cross shed-master Peter Townend who put forward the suggestion to BR for the A3 Pacifics including Scotsman to have deflectors applied. Regards, Samuel Farris.

[@virgilrytaar9083]

'Triggers broom'

[@santiagocamacho2309]

Fantastic machine!!!, what a privilege to have it that close, with it´s burning coal. A complete celebrity!!!

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Lovely! Thanks. Will Flying Scotsman be in King's Cross station during this weekend?

[@derekheeps1244]

She WAS in Edinburgh Waverley ; her other home !

[@andrewyoung749]

@@derekheeps1244 what makes it her other home? seems to have always been an English engine never shedded at any Scottish shed let alone Haymarket (Waverley)

[@davidscholz3041]

I've especially wanted to mention that I personally do wanna completely obviously take the opportunity to wish Gordon's only sole-surviving brother known as the Flying Scotsman such a happy 100th birthday AFTER working really hard for quite some time BEFORE the famous locomotive designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley known as the Flying Scotsman who'd been claimed to have been the official record holder for reaching 100 mph with ease got withdrawn from service in the 1960s to get cut up into pieces by the Scrapper's torch! Then, quite suddenly, a man named Alan Pegler generously preserved the famous locomotive designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley known as the Flying Scotsman by becoming his own official new owner who eventually went bankrupt during the USA rail tour where the famous locomotive designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley known as the Flying Scotsman got fitted with a cowcatcher as well as a bell as required for running on American origin railroads! Luckily, another gentleman known as Bill McAlpine stepped in to help with continuing the rail tour RIGHT UNTIL he eventually also apparently went bankrupt AFTER bringing Gordon's only sole-surviving brother known as the Flying Scotsman back to the UK where he'd been built in Doncaster exactly 1 entire century ago this year! I'm personally thinking 'bout bringing the famous locomotive designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley known as the Flying Scotsman into another era of being preserved WHILE officially simply just kindly giving the famous sole-surviving L N E R class A3 Pacific type of steam-driven railway tender locomotive known as the Flying Scotsman a total permanent official American origin upgrade with a cowcatcher as well as a beautiful brass bell to ring @ grade crossings as we thunder down the tracks @ 100 MPH top speed very easily WHILE pulling a fully-loaded Amtrak passenger train known as the Amtrak Superliner; which certainly would BASICALLY ALSO DEFINITELY give the famous locomotive designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley known as the Flying Scotsman such a great opportunity to an official American origin passenger train over verrrrrry long distances with no trouble due to a specific new official pair of corridor tenders to help carry extra water as well as extra low sulfur coal to make plenty of steam in a working perfectly @ exactly 220 PSI boiler pressure very easily WHILE even fitting a new whistle that sounds like the whistle from the movie titled The Great Race when Thomas met him over @ Vicarstown station as it's BASICALLY to be very well-known as the last stop on the North Western Railway's mainline! Also, apparently for another fact is basically that I've heard Gordon say that the famous locomotive designed by the famous locomotive designer known as Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley known as the Flying Scotsman was basically his own brother! He certainly had been built with an official 4-6-2 wheel configuration, exactly 3 cylinders, a working boiler pressure of 220 PSI, a drive wheel diameter that's basically 8 more inches than the L M S class 5MT Black Five steam locomotive created by William Stanier, and especially an advantage of an almost 108 MPH top speed WHILE the famous locomotive designed by none other than Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley who's very much well-known as the Flying Scotsman managed to reach 100 MPH top speed during a non-stop run from Edinburgh in Scotland all the way up to the official terminal of the L N E R that's basically known as King's Cross in London, England just exactly 11 straight years AFTER getting built in Doncaster!

[@davidpreston9909]

Flying Scotsman does not take the definite article. So to call it 'the' Flying Scotsman is incorrect.

[@derekheeps1244]

@@davidpreston9909 Just as with Titanic , Mallard or Waverley . To name just three examples . The other common error in railway circles is to refer to the Forth Rail Bridge , when it is simply the Forth Bridge ; the Forth Road Bridge was so named as to differentiate , but when the original bridge was constructed , it was the only one - so it was simply The Forth Bridge , and where better to see Flying Scotsman , as he will be passing over on the 3rd July this year , en route to , and back from Aberdeen ! Now , there's a question ; machines , and in particular ships , tend to be referred to as 'she' , but Flying ScotsMAN is definitely MALE , so presumably it is correct to refer to him as 'HE' ?

[@andrewyoung749]

@@derekheeps1244 I mean ,PS Waverley (paddle steamer-LNER (AJ Inglis1947)) is named after a man but referred to as a she...

[@Porsche_Addict05]

This isn’t Thomas this is real life, Scotsman isn’t a he it’s a she

[@Porsche_Addict05]

@@derekheeps1244 no. It’s not correct to refer to it as a he bro, literally every single locomotive is referred to as a she, even one’s that are named after male people

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

My Grandad had a load of old steam train blueprints and drafts in his cuboard, some of them I think were South African locomotives how ever that worked? This was in the 80's, he passed away but I think he used to do some of the designing once upon a reality....God bless him!

[@jackmellor5536]

I would love to see the LNER's other famous record-breaking locomotive Mallard back in steam.

[@The8224sm]

I was wondering if you would like to do a Curator with a Camera on a GWR King Class?

[@MySteamChannel]

I got to go in the cab in Australia 1989

[@leightonolsson4846]

Poor old Papyrus, 108mph, and sent to be scrapped without a tear

[@themadfarmer5207]

It is what the late Fred Dibnah would describe as " The Best of British Engineering"

[@jaydenfox9586]

It’s cool how some steam locomotives get new modifications like a speedometer and a CB radio to comply with modern railway regulations. At some point, would it be possible to do a video on Olton Hall 5972 AKA the Hogwarts Express? It’s currently at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, The Making of Harry Potter.

[@garyshethers9834]

Flying scotsman the world's greatest locomotive.

[@markmanc-zw3td]

No doubt a fantastic machine & i have been lucky to see it years ago, but personally i wouldn't go out of my way to see it again, because hardly any of the original engine exists, if any - bit like Triggers brush to me 😮

[@ikyle_0456]

Will flying Scotsman ever be in the BR blue livery?

[@bryantan863]

Hey Anthony, I want to ask a simple question. When is Flying Scotsman going to be painted back to LNER apple green with his original number 4472?

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Hi, Anthony has answered this question in our previous video, a Q&A with Anthony and Bob. Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn7MeYdtmMmIm6s

[@Porsche_Addict05]

It’s a she not a he

[@Porsche_Addict05]

@@bryantan863 yea well that’s the railway series, which are fictional books. In real life, which is what this video is, it’s a she.

[@nielsleenknegt5839]

E103 is actually a food colouring thats apparently been banned scince the 1980's

[@madpom2]

I like too see him drive it dresses like that