Flying Scotsman in Shropshire: Fans flock to see a true British icon on the Severn Valley Railway
The legendary Flying Scotsman powered into Bridgnorth's Severn Valley Railway today to meet hundreds of fans, many of them waving flags or clutching cameras.
People flocked from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the world's most famous steam locomotive when it arrived in Shropshire.
As the doors opened bagpipes were played and the platform filled with hundreds of train fans, with a number dressed in 1930s and 1940s costumes.
The Flying Scotsman set off from the SVR's Kidderminster station before powering through Bewdley, Arley, Highley and Hampton Loade on the way to Bridgnorth.
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The Shropshire Star's Jordan Reynolds tweeted this video from Bridgnorth:
Travelling ticket inspector Laurie Hickman said the Severn Valley Railway has been his "saviour" since he retired and that this was a special day.
The 71-year-old said: "I've been a train fan since I was nine years old.I've worked here since I retired, it has really been my saviour.
"This is really good for the town, without this railway Bridgnorth wouldn't be Bridgnorth. I hope it will bring lots more people to the railway."
The Flying Scotsman at the SVR on Twitter:
Gordon Crowe, 61, and Jennie Jones, 56, came from Walsall for the event and brought their best 1930s finery with them.
Mr Crowe said: "We're massive fans, I'm part of Bloxwich Model Railway Club."
Tom, 76, and Joyce Roberts 74, from Alveley, also dressed in 1930s attire for the day.
Mr Roberts has been a steam train fan for 70 years.
Mrs Roberts said: "This is our special day, Tom is a steam fanatic, it's a big treat.
"It's exploded, there's so many people, it's the biggest thing that the Severn Valley Railway has ever done. It's just amazing."
Flying Scotsman hurled around the corner and into the sight of some who saw it decades ago.
One Claverley man first saw the Flying Scotsman 30 years ago and came to see it after the restoration.
Stanley Lloyd, 87, was at the event with his niece Stephanie Dallow, 61, from 8am.
Mr Lloyd said: "It is such a piece of English history, we're big fans and are really looking forward to the event."
Lynda, 64, and Mac Berrington, 66, came to Bridgnorth from Cannock.
Mr Berrington said he remembered the Flying Scotsman as a child.
He said: "We came to the Severn Valley Railway quite a lot at the weekends to ride on the trains. We're interested in the old steam trains so we come quite often now. We saw the Flying Scotsman a few years back in York in the early days of its restoration, so now we're looking forward to seeing the final product."
The engine was in action today as part of the Severn Valley Railway's Charity Day, and was taking part in a Pacific Power event from Thursday until Monday.
Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce is operating a special park and ride service to get visitors to the railway station for the SVR's Pacific Power event from today until Monday 26. Operating from the Tasley auction site, a coach will shuttle constantly between the car park and the station.
Stephen Robbins, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, said: "The coach will operate continuously from 7am to 7pm each day, it is a free service for those using the car park which the SVR have financed. Parking will be £3 per vehicle for a day ticket. This is an historic event which I am sure will be very popular."
