LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
The LNER Class A3 Pacific steam locomotive No. 4472 Flying Scotsman (originally No. 1472) was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works to a design of H.N. Gresley. It was employed on long-distance express trains on the LNER and its successors, British Railways Eastern and North-Eastern Regions, notably on the 10am London to Edinburgh Flying Scotsman service after which it was named.
The locomotive is notable for having set two world records for steam traction; becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) on 30 November 1934, and then setting a record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 442 miles (711 km) on 8 August 1989.
Retired from regular service in 1963 after covering 2,076,000 miles (3,341,000 km), Flying Scotsman gained considerable fame in preservation. As well as hauling enthusiast specials in the United Kingdom, the locomotive has also toured extensively in the United States (from 1969 to 1973) and Australia (from 1988 to 1989). It is regarded as the world's most famous steam locomotive.
Read more about LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman: History, Preservation, In Popular Culture
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