Steam train fans this is the big one, the Flying Scotsman is on her way.
Gloucestershire will be graced with not one, but two visits from Locomotive number 60103 on Saturday and there will be plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse from a safe spot.
While the train, which is running from London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill on a tour run by the Railway Touring Company, is not actually stopping in the county, bar a brief pause at the Gloucester yard, she is travelling along the Stroud line and the Cotswold line.
With fans urged to not trespass and cause the problems which marred the visit in 2017, with those who watch from an unsafe place being told it could
all together, there are plenty of safe areas to see the train.
From timings, fact and where to watch, here is everything you need to know about the Flying Scotsman.
When is the Flying Scotsman coming to Gloucestershire?
The locomotive is pulling a tour train through the county on Saturday, heading in via the Great Western Railway line through Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse before joining the main GWR line at Standish and heading up via the Gloucester yard (not Gloucester station), Cheltenham and Ashchurch en route to its final destination of Worcester Shrub Hill.
The return leg later that day will see the train take a tour of the Cotswolds, via Evesham, Moreton in Marsh and Kingham.
What time can we see the train?
In a bit to prevent trespassers the official timings are a closely guarded secret at this time and are unlikely to be published until nearer Saturday but the official tour site suggests the train leaves Paddington at 7:40am and arrives in Worcester at around 11:50am so the Gloucestershire leg is likely to be between 9:45 and 11am.
The train will leave Worcester 4:30pm so is likely to pass the north Cotswolds before 5.30pm.
Where can we safely watch the train?
When the Flying Scotsman puffed through Gloucestershire in 2017 it was heavily delayed due to trespassers on the line north of Dursley. So this time organisers are taking no chances - no times will be published and people who want to see the train are being urged to watch from a safe spot.
Here are our suggestions of where you can see the train and keep safe:
Kemble Station: Small but perfectly formed, you might be able to spot the Scotsman puffing down the newly redoubled tracks.
Stroud Station: Watch from the station itself to frame the train against the background of the town or the car park on the far side near Hill Paul will still give a good view.
Stonehouse Station - limited parking but a new slightly longer platform should give you a decent view
Stonehouse playing fields - You'll get a view of the train running along the embankment towards Standish but from a very safe distance from the tracks.
Parton Road bridge - a chance to watch the Scotsman fly down the Golden Valley.
Kingham Station - Just over the Gloucestershire border, you'll be able to see the train from the bridge over the track
Moreton in Marsh - It is a tiny station, but you should be able to catch a glimpse.
The main thing if you are planning on watching the train pass through is to stay off the tracks and off private land.
What is the Flying Scotsman?
The Flying Scotsman was the first express passenger locomotive built by London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923. It had number 4472.
It weighs more than 150 tonnes and uses 45lb of coal and 40 gallons of water a mile.
In 1928 it started transporting passengers between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh.
The Flying Scotsman was taken off the rails from active service in 1963 with the aim of preserving it for future generations to enjoy.
On August 9, 1989, The Flying Scotsman successfully completed the largest non-stop run for a steam traction engine of 422 miles between Parkes and Broken Hill in New South Wales, Australia.
The Flying Scotsman was dismantled in 1995 before being restored by train enthusiast Dr Tony Marchington the following year at a cost of more than £750,000.
Where can we send our pictures of the Flying Scotsman?
We would love to see your shots - send them to our weekend team for inclusion in any galleries or features we do.
