Yesterday as this thread promised for February 14th, Flying Scotsman with a very friendly cab crew, drifted over the Butts Bridge to the cheers of 300 school children assembled on Alton Green; four orange flash detonators and steam whistles added to the occasion. Tuesday had seen the locomotive on Real Time Trains leaving Bury around 1000, to arrive minute perfect at Alton for 2353, what a reliable machine Ian Riley has restored. The Mid Hants Railway properties were all on lock down, with huge security to prevent non ticket holders access. Flying Scotsman trains as usual sold out in hours, but the full future timetables and Flying Scotsman yard visit events are now on the web site. Adequate special event parking near Ropley Station, amazing the affection the general public have for our Gresley machine.
www.watercressline.co.uk. Joining Watercress Line trains at platform 3 Alton, weekend station parking is only £3.50 all day; during special events car park becomes full early. PS: It was nice to hear the MHR English Electric 16 cylinder Class 50 Lion, now repaired after the cooling radiator failure, become the first diesel passenger carrying locomotive hauled train over the new bridge structure.