The #FlyingScotsman

What a busy day... I was up before the rest to catch this old lass on her way down our local Borders Railway line and kind of followed it for the rest of the day. I must have been 7 or 8 when I received a Flying Scotsman model railway set for Christmas, and although I don't remember any interest before then, I've loved railways since.

The LNER 4472 was my favourite (The FS) and I think I saw it once in York Museum before being restored. It was a surprise that the restoration took it back to British Railways livery and 60103, which is not how I am used to seeing it - it's quite a duller green and has the front smoke deflectors.

Anyway, Extra #1, Mrs C joined me the first flypast near Borthwick Castle then I scooted back to watch The Flying Dutchman win his first grand prix, well done Max! Ms H was busy studying all day and was happy to skip a quick jaunt back down for Extra #2 to see the reverse closer view (she was being pulled backwards, so lack of steam!).

Since Ms H had been inside all day we decided to drag her out to follow The FS on it's Fife Circular route, firstly at Waverley in Extra #3 where we could see it in detail. I do quite like it, a matt kind of racing sort of green, and I like my matts! So with 10 minutes head start, we dashed over the Forth Road Bridge to watch her come across the Forth Bridge, Extras #4, #5 and #6 then had dinner in South Q watching the sun set while she headed back.

So the main blip is at Dalmeny Station on her way back to Edinburgh and gave us a chance to be up close. There were loads of people at all the places we went to and a helicopter doing reccies checking the track and still we heard some people got on the track! Whassapoint!

I'm glad Ms H got a chance to see The FS returning here for the first time in 16 years, I am sure one day she will be glad she did too (teenagers!), I had fun anyway :-)