Flying Scotsman in Yorkshire: Famous heritage steam locomotive to be displayed on turntable at National Railway Museum in York for the first time in seven years in October

The Flying Scotsman will be on static display from October 21 to November 5, 2023 on the historic turntable in the National Railway Museum’s Great Hall and visitors will be able to see the locomotive with a 360-degree view for free daily from 10am to 5pm throughout October half term.

Its final visit to the museum will take place during its centenary year and was last displayed on the turntable in 2016.

Visitors can also take a journey into the locomotive’s greatest historic moments over the last 100 years in the multisensory Flying Scotsman VR experience.

There will also be a cast of historic figures which will take visitors through the Flying Scotsman’s story including the British Empire Exhibition, 100mph record-breaking run and journeys around North America and Australia.

Tickets for the VR experience must be booked in advance on the museum’s website.

The free centenary exhibition Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices will also be on display in the museum’s North Shed, which explores the human side of the locomotive’s legacy.

Director of National Railway Museum, Judith McNicol, said: “Flying Scotsman’s centenary is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see this world-famous locomotive, and we’re delighted that it will be on display on the turntable during the busy half term season.

“Visitors will be given a rare 360-degree view of the locomotive each day as part of a free museum admission ticket.”

During October half term, the museum’s largest ever family-focussed interactive experience Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, will be open after welcoming more than 23,000 visitors since it opened in the summer.

The interactive gallery includes 18 hands-on exhibits with a goal to inspire and spark curiosity in railways and engineering. During the half term, visitors will be able to see a live science show as part of the general entry ticket, including new show Streamlined by Design, which investigates the force of air resistance and how shape affects speed. Tickets for Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery can be booked on the museum’s website.

A Network Rail supported workshop, Full Steam Ahead, will explore the important role of rail engineers and other crucial jobs in the industry through hands-on activities and will take place on October 25, 2023.

Visitors will learn about the innovative ideas and technologies shaping the future of the railways, while hearing from people who work in the industry.

In celebration of 100 years since the Flying Scotsman first entered service, a programme of events has been organised with opportunities for the public to visit the locomotive and honour its iconic history. Following its visit to the National Railway Museum, Flying Scotsman will be returning to its birthplace of Doncaster on November 11 and November 12, on the next stop in its centenary programme.

Over the festive period from October 16, 2023 to January 2, 2024, Flying Scotsman will visit Locomotion in Shildon for a special centenary festival sponsored by CrossCountry, where the locomotive will be in light steam outside of the museum.