Saved, stranded and saved again
After British Railways, Flying Scotsman had four private owners before the nation bought it.
How this site works. Every fact is in our own words and linked to its source, beside it. Where good sources disagree, we show each version in a “Sources differ” box.
Alan Pegler, 1963
In January 1963 Alan Pegler bought Flying Scotsman, with a complete overhaul as part of the deal. NRM
It ran its last train for British Railways on 14 January 1963. NRM
It was changed back to a single chimney and painted in LNER colours again, with a corridor tender and permission to run on the main line. NRM
In May 1968, 40 years after the first non-stop run, it ran non-stop from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh again. NRM
America
In 1969 it went to the United States on a tour meant to promote British exports. NRM
It toured the United States and Canada from 1969 until 1973. BBC, 2023
The tour broke even in its first year, but lost money in its second. NRM
A trip to San Francisco worked well on the rails but was a financial disaster: Pegler went bankrupt and the locomotive was stranded in the USA. NRM
A 1971 colour photograph in the Science Museum Group Collection shows 4472 in the United States. Science Museum Group
Sir William McAlpine, 1973
In 1973 William McAlpine heard what had happened, paid off the creditors, bought the locomotive and brought it home. NRM
McAlpine had it restored at Derby Works and kept it running for 23 years, overhauling it thoroughly twice. NRM
It toured Australia in 1988 and 1989. BBC, 2023
In 1989, in Australia, it set the world record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive: 422 miles. NRM It was the first steam locomotive to go right round the world, on its voyage to Australia and back. NRM
Back in Britain it ran special trains, including regular runs over the Settle to Carlisle Railway and trips hauling the Orient Express Pullman. NRM
In the early 1990s it was repaired again, and pop impresario Pete Waterman briefly went into partnership with Sir William to run it. NRM
Tony Marchington, 1996
In February 1996 businessman Tony Marchington bought it outright for £1.25 million. NRM
Saved for the nation, 2004
In 2004 another crisis over who owned it led to a campaign, spearheaded by the National Railway Museum, to save it for the nation. NRM
The National Railway Museum bought it in 2004 for £2.3 million. NRM blog, 2016
The appeal was supported by a £1.8 million grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and by the public. NRM
The BBC reported £415,000 in public donations and a £365,000 gift from Sir Richard Branson. BBC, 2016
Its restoration was helped by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £275,000. NRM
Timeline
- January 1963 In January 1963 Alan Pegler bought Flying Scotsman, with a complete overhaul as part of the deal. NRM
- 1969 In 1969 it went to the United States on a tour meant to promote British exports. NRM
- 1973 In 1973 William McAlpine heard what had happened, paid off the creditors, bought the locomotive and brought it home. NRM
- 1988 and 1989 It toured Australia in 1988 and 1989. BBC, 2023
- Early 1990s In the early 1990s it was repaired again, and pop impresario Pete Waterman briefly went into partnership with Sir William to run it. NRM
- February 1996 In February 1996 businessman Tony Marchington bought it outright for £1.25 million. NRM
- 2004 The National Railway Museum bought it in 2004 for £2.3 million. NRM blog, 2016
- 2016 The project was completed in 2016, with the locomotive in BR Green as 60103, at a cost given as £4.2m. NRM
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