One of the world’s most famous steam locomotives will pass through Gloucestershire tomorrow, a couple of weeks later than planned.
On Saturday The Flying Scotsman will be pulling steam train The Cotswold Venturer from London to Worcester and back again, after its trip last month was postponed due to Storm Eustice.
While the only stops being made between London Paddington and Worcester Shrub Hill are to pick up passengers in Slough, Reading and Didcot, there are still plenty of opportunities to see the locomotive as it thunders across the country.
After leaving Didcot at 8.30am the train continues through Oxford and, at Wolvercote Junction, joins the Cotswold Line.
It then passes through Finstock, Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh, then through Campden Tunnel, and down Honeybourne Bank to Evesham - arriving in Worcester at approximately 11.20am.
The steam train leaves Worcester at 4.35pm and returns by a different route. At Abbots Wood Junction, its join the ex-Midland Railway route to Bristol. It heads south to Cheltenham, by-passes Gloucester, and joins the Golden Valley route at Standish Junction.
It will pass through Stroud and climb up the Stroud Valley to Sapperton Tunnel, continuing through Kemble and on to Swindon where it joins the ex-Great Western Main Line.
The train will call at Didcot 7.10pm, then Reading and Slough before arriving in London at 9.45pm.
Where are they best places to see it?
For those wanting to see The Flying Scotsman pass through Gloucestershire in broad daylight, Moreton-in-Marsh could be the place to go. Timings are only approximate but, according to realtimetrains.co.uk the train is expected to pass through at around about 10.36am.
The return journey offers a number of possibilities to see the famous locomotive in all its glory. The bridge over Standish Junction is usually popular, while Stroud and Kemble stations are also options.
We expect the train to pass through this bit of the county around 5.30pm, just before sunset. Approximate timings are 5.32pm for Standish Junction, 5.45pm as StMary's level crossing near Chalford and 5.57pm at Kemble station.
Others spots that have made for great photos in previous years include the Beard's Lane footbridge...
Photo: Jeff Horwood
Bowbridge...
Photo: Pete Kinsella
And the viaduct at Capel's Mill
Photo: Jenny Harding
Wherever you choose, please stay safe and off the tracks. We'd love to see your photos so share them with us via the Gloucestershire Camera Club Facebook page.
