THE COUNTDOWN is on for when the most famous and iconic steam locomotive in the world visits Swanage Railway next month.

The Flying Scotsman will be rolling into Swanage Railway for almost three weeks from Wednesday, October 19 to Sunday, November 6, and tickets are available to book now. 

The 97-tonne A3 class locomotive, built in 1923, will be operating along the popular Purbeck line for 19 days. 

A spokesperson at Swanage Railway, said: “We cannot wait to welcome the world famous Flying Scotsman back to our railway in October and November.

"This visit will be the first from its overhaul which has been carried out by Riley & Son (E) Ltd alongside the National Railway Museum to make sure 60103 is ready to celebrate its centenary in 2023.

"We have also just released bookings for dining experiences aboard out Devon Belle Observation Car which will offer unrivalled views of the locomotive whilst in operation on the line during the first half of your journey. Then on the return journey, you can sit back and relax whilst taking in the views of the Isle of Purbeck."

The steam locomotive will be on static display at Swanage station on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21 and again from Thursday, October 27 to Sunday, November 6. 

Costing £7,944 to build, ‘Flying Scotsman’ was named after the prestigious London to Edinburgh express train service that the locomotive helped to operate – the journey time being eight hours. 

During a test run in 1934, the Nigel Gresley-designed ‘Flying Scotsman’ was the first steam locomotive in the United Kingdom to haul a train at 100mph. 

Purchased by the National Railway Museum in 2004, Flying Scotsman was restored thanks to a £4.2 million, ten-year project funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as from public donations. 

Flying Scotsman last visited Swanage in March 2019. 

Bookings can be made online at swanagerailway.co.uk/events/