Where the facts come from
Every factual claim on this site links to its source. This is the full list.
How we checked
Each fact was written in our own words alongside its source. Our build script stores the text of every source and, for each fact, checks that the key words and figures really appear in it. 106 of 106 checks passed when this site was last built (10 November 2026). Where we couldn’t find a named source saying something, we left it out. Where good sources disagree, we say so and give both.
Where sources differ
- Into service. Went into service on 24 February 1923 (National Railway Museum, history page), or “outshopped” from Doncaster Works on 27 February 1923 (National Railway Museum press release, 2016).
- Weight. 97 tonnes (National Railway Museum, history page; BBC, 2023) or about 96 tonnes (BBC, 2016; museum blog, 2016).
- Miles travelled. More than two million by 1963 (BBC, 2023); some 2,500,000 in its lifetime by 2016 (museum blog). These measure different periods.
- First to 100mph. Officially the first in the UK, in 1934 (National Railway Museum); some claim City of Truro reached 102mph in 1904 (BBC, 2016).
- Restoration cost. £4.2m (National Railway Museum history page; BBC, 2016) or a final £4,537,892 (National Railway Museum, September 2016).
All sources (12)
- National Railway Museum: The history of Flying Scotsman (42 facts)
- National Railway Museum press release: Flying Scotsman hauls Royal Train as part of centenary tour (12 June 2023) (13 facts)
- BBC News: Flying Scotsman restoration completed with BR colours restored (2016) (12 facts)
- National Railway Museum blog: Restored, revitalised and ravishing: Flying Scotsman steams back into service (25 February 2016) (10 facts)
- BBC News: Flying Scotsman steam train celebrates 100 years (24 February 2023) (7 facts)
- National Railway Museum press release: Museum announces final cost of steam legend’s return (23 September 2016) (6 facts)
- National Railway Museum: Mallard 75 (6 facts)
- National Railway Museum blog: Flying Scotsman Centenary: 100 Years of Memories (24 February 2023) (4 facts)
- National Railway Museum: Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices (3 facts)
- Science Museum Group Collection: Flying Scotsman medal, 1924 (object 1984-500) (1 fact)
- Science Museum Group Collection: coloured photograph of No. 4472 Flying Scotsman in the USA, 1971 (object 2016-7115) (1 fact)
- Science Museum Group Collection: print of LNER 4-6-2 No 4472 Flying Scotsman, about 1924 (object 1977-7406) (1 fact)