IAM always intrigued, slightly irritated even, when I see or hear in the media the phrase “world’s most famous steam locomotive”, for I am yet to discover a diesel or electric that is better known!
To me and others growing up on the Great Northern Main Line in the late-1950s/ early-60s, Flying Scotsman was one of the most frequently-seen Pacifics, and I am ashamed to admit I sometimes joined the chorus of disappointed young spotters shouting “scrap it” as it turned up yet again. Thank God we did not get our wish.