Work on restoring the Flying Scotsman, making it fit for main line operations, will continue after doubts about the feasibility of the project were resolved.
The good news from the National Railway Museum follows a comprehensive examination of the loco’s side frames and cylinders. Says Ian Riley, Director of Riley & Son (E) Ltd, which is progressing the work, ‘The frame condition has been found to be acceptable and while the cylinders still need a lot of attention these are relatively straightforward problems which can be readily fixed by our specialist engineers.
‘We are delighted that the restoration is going to plan and we will continue to work together with the museum to see the restoration through to completion.’
In October last year the NRM decided that the remaining works on the Gresley–designed steam loco, including the alignment of the middle steam cylinder, would take place at Riley & Son (E) Ltd, Bury.
However this came with a caveat that a small section of the main side frames that could not be examined until the steam cylinders were removed would need to be checked out. The condition of this final piece of the iconic locomotive is now known after the cylinders were removed from the frames and all areas received a detailed examination by specialist engineers.
The final assessment of the viability of the restoration has now been made by the Museum and its Trustees and a resounding go-ahead given.
