Flying Scotsman Visit 2022 – Bluebell Railway Official Statement

22nd July 2022 – 4.30pm

Dear Visitors, members and friends,

It is with the greatest regret we have to announce the postponement of Flying Scotsman’s visit to the Bluebell Railway in August.

The locomotive’s custodians have informed us they discovered a broken piston ring which had damaged the locomotive’s cylinder.

Despite the best efforts of Riley & Son (E) and the team at the Bluebell Railway, the ring cannot be replaced in time for the scheduled visit next month – this is in part due to global supply chain delays.   

Bluebell Railway chairman Geoff Mee said: “We are disappointed for everyone that Flying Scotsman will not be appearing at the railway as planned this August. We know how much people were looking forward to seeing this legendary locomotive as it approaches its centenary year and we were hoping for a successful visit just as we had when it last visited in 2017.”   

We are hugely upset by the situation and understand that all those who had booked or were looking forward to seeing the engine will be very disappointed as well. For that, we offer our most sincere apologies and are working feverishly to put a revised schedule in place and re-arrange the visit for next year, when the locomotive celebrates its 100th birthday.

All ticket holders will be contacted, and offered the chance to hold onto their tickets until next year’s event, which will be honoured at the face value regardless of any price increases associated with next year’s event.

In the meantime, our customer services team will be contacting all those who had booked, and you will hear from them in the next few days. We kindly ask that you don’t call or email as they are 100% focusing on contacting all ticket holders, and answering phones and emails will result in delays for all involved.  

Once again, we are truly sorry to have to deliver such disappointing news to everyone who continually support the Bluebell Railway.

Please bear with us during these next few days, we WILL be in contact.

Regards

All at Bluebell Railway

For any enquires please contact pr@bluebell-railway.com