On Saturday 11th November we finally got to see the Flying Scotsman– three times!
The first spotting meant a very early rise to get to Norwich Station for 7.30am. We parked in our usual free space just outside the station, although there were plenty of spots in the car park just to the side of the station too. Even that early in the morning there were plenty of enthusiasts about and so after checking with the station staff we joined a queue to go onto the platform and see Flying Scotsman, once the paying customers had boarded.
The wait wasn’t too long at all and soon we were allowed on the platform where we walked past all the carriages set for breakfast up to the end of the platform where we saw Flying Scotsman. Seeing the train was absolutely amazing and made all the more pleasurable because of the good organisation the Station Team and Police had put in place. We were asked to file along the platform in one direction round and then back past the train, ensuring everyone got a chance to view, take photos and soak up the atmosphere. The team were particularly mindful of the children and there was a really nice atmosphere amongst those that had come to view with absolutely no pushing, hurrying or shoving.
We waved the train off from the station and watched it steam away with its long entourage of carriages.
Later that morning we watched Flying Scotsman steam back from Ipswich from a field entrance just off the A140 and then during the afternoon we stopped off at Thetford Railway Station on our way back from a day out in Bury St Edmunds just in time to see it rush through on its way to Ely. For future reference Thetford Railway Station has plenty of parking and watching from the pedestrian bridge over the track was the perfect vantage point to soak up the atmosphere and the wonderful cloud of smoke that billowed from the engine.
Seeing the Flying Scotsman was completely free and truly a rare opportunity. We did a great deal of research (my husband mainly!) to ensure we knew times, destinations and researched the best vantage points that were both safe and legal to stop and view from. We checked the local news, as well as the Steam Dreams website (the company that chartered the flying Scotsman) and liaised with Norwich Railway Station. Although this was a one off, we are often on the look-out for vintage trains traveling to the East of England via Norwich Railway station.
Better photos of the train to follow- watch this post!
Thrifty Norfolk Mummy 