Historic ‘Flying Scotsman’ locomotive involved in slow-speed accident

Historic ‘Flying Scotsman’ locomotive involved in slow-speed accident

By Trains Staff | September 29, 2023

| Last updated on February 2, 2024


At least five injured in Friday incident in Scotland

British steam train passing through field.
Flying Scotsman en route from Atlanta to Anniston, Ala., on November 2, 1969, during its U.S. tour. Southern Railway photograph

AVIEMORE, Scotland — At least five people were injured as landmark British steam locomotive Flying Scotsman was involved in what is described as a “slow speed” collision Friday at a heritage railway in the Scottish Highlands, the Guardian newspaper reports.

The incident occurred about 7:10 p.m. Friday on the Strathspey Railway, which was preparing for operations with the visiting locomotive —the first steam engine to officially surpass 100 mph — on Saturday and Sunday. Two people were taken to the hospital, but their injuries were not believed to be serious, police said. The Scotsman newspaper quotes a spokesman for the owner of the luxury touring Royal Scotsman train, Belmond, as saying “one passenger and one team member are attending hospital for a precautionary check-up. All passengers have been transferred to a hotel where our team is on standby to offer support and to assist with our guests’ onward travel arrangements.” Three other people were treated at the scene.

A statement from Belmond and the Strathspey Railway said “a shunting incident occurred” when the locomotive was being coupled to the Strathspey Railway’s railcars.

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