Flying Scotsman set to pass through Wiltshire this morning

It will pass through Laverstock South and North junction at 10.28am.

The world-famous train has been drawing visitors in their droves since its arrival in Dorset last month for a three-week visit.

It has caused excitement ever since it was spotted making its way to Swanage Railway where it hauled five seven-carriage trains a day from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden for five days at the end of last month.

During its visit to Swanage Railway, the Flying Scotsman was reunited with a 1940s Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage for the first time in almost 50 years.

The Flying Scotsman cost £7,944 to build and was completed in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway.

During a test run in 1934, the Sir Nigel Gresley-designed Flying Scotsman the first steam locomotive in the United Kingdom to haul a train at 100 miles an hour.

Alan Pegler purchased the Flying Scotsman from British Railways for the scrap value of £3,000 in 1963 and Mr Pegler's daughter, Penny Vaudoyer, flew in from her home in Portugal to wave off the Flying Scotsman from Swanage station in a special service last month.

Flying Scotsman is owned by the National Railway Museum in York.

It has been on display at Corfe Castle Station since March 22.

Mick Gould, Swanage Railway Co Ltd director and volunteer, said: “We have just completed the 15 static display days at Corfe Castle Station which has exceeded expectations with over 6,000 visitors enjoying the experience.

“We are extremely grateful to the National Railway Museum for giving Swanage Railway the opportunity to host such a unique and historic event to operate and display the world famous Flying Scotsman which is such an icon.

“It’s the first time in almost 50 years that number 60103 and the unique Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage, known as car 14, have operated together since they ran as a pair across the USA between 1969 and 1972.”