DOZENS of train enthusiasts gathered in Bury today to be part of part of rail history.
Engineers from Bury have spent the last decade renovating the famous Flying Scotsman locomotive and today was their moment of truth - the big test.
With their cameras at the ready, about 70 people braved the damp and cold conditions to witness the iconic locomotive travel a short distance down the track and into Platform 3 at Bury's Bolton Street Station - part of the East Lancashire heritage railway.
The Flying Scotsman was then separated from an assisting locomotice - the Lancashire Fusilier - and five passenger coaches, travelled further up the line and then came back the other way, before picking up the passenger coaches again and travelling to Heywood.
Built in 1923, the locomotive dazzled passengers after its inaugural journey in 1928 as it was about to travel cross country at speeds of up to 100mph.
It got its name as it would regularly form the 10am from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, completing the journey in seven hours and 20 minutes – markedly faster than before.
The engine prior to restoration
Engineers from Riley & Son, based in Baron Street, Bury, have been painstakingly restoring the locomotive in a £4.2 million restoration project with help from the National Railway Museum in York.
A sold-out event will allow diners to tour the train tonight, while open days are being held at the ELR this coming weekend and next before a landmark test run on January 23.
On that date, the Flying Scotsman will take passengers from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle over the Ribblehead Viaduct after stopping at Preston. All tickets have been sold.
REVEALED: Why Bolton will miss out on historic Flying Scotsman visit
If all goes well, the locomotive will be repainted in its traditional green and will travel from London King’s Cross to York in early February.
The plan is for the train to then go into full public service, with rail enthusiasts able to visit an exhibition at the museum.
Look who's arrived! #FlyingScotsman pic.twitter.com/4RyHYLY9Nd
— Nat. Railway Museum (@railwaymuseum) January 8, 2016
If your junior football is off this weekend bring the kids to @eastlancsrly Ramsbottom to see the Flying Scotsman! pic.twitter.com/fASg04evFE
— Peter Thornton (@insidewrite1957) January 8, 2016
We're at @eastlancsrly today getting ready for #FlyingScotsman's first official test run! Are you as excited as us? pic.twitter.com/UA5xJWC5tU
— Nat. Railway Museum (@railwaymuseum) January 8, 2016
From the Archive No 202: Lking Back Flying Scotsman on High Peak tour 18 September 1965 & lking forward to 2016 runs pic.twitter.com/3MNWbktyeS
— Nostalgia Collection (@SLPNostalgia) December 31, 2015
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