There is much anticipation ahead of the Flying Scotsman arriving in Swanage later this week, as it will be the first time the steam train has visited the Dorset town since March 2019.

Visitors will be able to go on the footplate of the Flying Scotsman and travel upon it along the Isle of Purbeck line.

Additionally, some will be able to enjoy afternoon tea and other treats on these journeys on the Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car which follows behind the main train.

There are still booking spots available for all these events, but when will they be on?

When will the Flying Scotsman be in Swanage?

As stated on the Swanage Railway website the Flying Scotsman will be situated at Swanage station from Thursday, October 20.

This is a couple of days before its first journey along the Isle of Purbeck countryside route, where visitors will be able to go on its footplate, which is where a locomotive driver stands to operate a steam train.

To do this you will need to book a pre-allocated time slot. This is sold out for October 20, but is currently available for October 21 and from October 27 to November 6.

You can book tickets for this at the Swanage Railway website here.

For those wanting to travel on the Flying Scotsman, you can book tickets for that at the website here.

There will be journeys taking place between October 22 and 26 with departure times at 10:05, 11:45, 13:25, 15:05 and 16:45 each day.

A return journey starting from Swanage station is one hour in duration and it is the only station the Flying Scotsman can be boarded on.

READ MORE: Countdown on for Flying Scotsman's return to Swanage Railway

For the Devon Belle car options for food, visitors can book either breakfast pastries, afternoon tea or champagne and canapes at the website here.

What is the history of the Flying Scotsman?

Costing £7,944 to build, the 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, the 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.