LNER 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ at Manchester Victoria. ‘It’s winter fall, red skies are gleaming...’

Well, not really ‘red skies’. However, I was determined to repurpose the lyrics of ‘A Winter’s Tale,’ one of the last songs written and sung by the late great Freddie Mercury, as the title of the video, Mancunian meteorological conditions be damned!
The final steam hauled tour I will cover this year finds me in much the same way as it started- at a pre-dawn Manchester Victoria still very much in darkness, waiting for a tour to Carlisle Citadel. This one however has the added bonus of being hauled by the world-famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ as part of a Christmas-themed special promoted by Ian Riley. This possibly once-in-a-lifetime tour certainly seems to have caught the imagination as it sold out well in advance.
Unlike my last video from Victoria, todays trip was only allowed a three minute stop. This, combined with the darkness, the larger than usual crowd (inevitable for a ‘Flying Scotsman’ tour) and the fact that a TransPennine was due in on the opposite platform at the same time, meant I went for the ultra safe approach of videoing it from the west end of Platform 3. With such a long train, it meant ‘Scotsman’ herself was stopped right under the Arena offices, meaning little to no lighting. What’s more, the wind was really picking up so for the departure I’ve had to turn the sound right down just so your ears aren’t blown out.
Anyway, it’s always been my ambition to capture ‘Scotsman’ on a revenue-earning train in Manchester, so I’m glad to be able to say I’ve done it. Whilst this is the last steam tour I’m covering this year, it’s not my last video as I’ve got something in mind that I’ll be uploading on Christmas Eve.
Enjoy the video.
Ross 🚂

[@JulianThurgood]

Very good - love this - well done.

[@30453trains]

Julian Thurgood thanks v much, really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍🏻

[@trainzville9237]

Hello Ross 30453, my name is Jordan Shingler. What a wonderful video of the Flying Scotsman at Manchester Victoria Station leaving with a Christmas Themed Railtour, that's what Flying Scotsman should be doing, hauling a few Christmas Themed Railtours every year.

[@30453trains]

Jordan Shingler It was nice to see. ‘Flying Scotsman’ is very much in demand with both railtour operators and preserved railways, but it would be nice if this became A Thing. Thanks for commenting. 👍🏻

[@trainzville9237]

My pleasure Ross and Merry Christmas Eve. 🎅🎄🎁😉

[@30453trains]

Jordan Shingler Merry Christmas Eve to you and yours. 👍🏻

[@jgrailvids]

I went to see this on its evening at 20:00 and it was a diesel and came at 19:30 what a shame she was left behind at Carnforth

[@30453trains]

jgrailvids yes it’s a bit of a pity they didn’t let Scotsman do the whole run, she was in belting form all day.

[@JoshHemingwayMetcalfe96]

Well done my friend. thats fantastic video of Flying Scotsman out there sir. Thanks for sharing. Kind regards from ... Josh

[@30453trains]

Josh Mallard cheers 👍🏻