Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman (Departs Didcot Mainline Tour)
Event Summary
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October 2026
Flying Scotsman is steaming through the North Wessex Downs National Landcape this October, with mainline railtours departing from Didcot Parkway, a town which has become synonymous with railway preservation, to Newbury Racecourse Station.
Embark upon a 133 mile return journey through Oxfordshire and Wiltshire hauled by the legendary Flying Scotsman locomotive. We'll travel via the outskirts of Reading, a town rich in railway history from the opening of the Great Western line to London in 1840 right through to the modern Elizabeth Line which opened in 2022, before passing the medieval market town of Chippenham.
We'll then arrive at Newbury Racecourse Station, a town famous for it's adjacent racecourse and nearby chalk horse. The train will stop here for 30 minutes allowing a leg stretch and to view the famous locomotive.
Finally, we'll embark on the main leg of our journey. Our route will take us through the lovely landscape of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, running alongside the pretty Kennet & Avon Canal for some distance. We'll pass through Swindon, another town steeped in railway history through its railway works which once employed 14,000 people before heading back to Didcot Parkway.
Each booking is helping to keep this national icon of steam heritage operating.
Approximate Itinerary
- Departs Didcot at approx 11:00, arriving at Newbury Racecourse approx 11:45. Departing Newbury Racecourse at 12:15, arriving back at Didcot approx 15:05
- Departs Didcot at approx 15:25, arriving at Newbury Racecourse approx 16:30. Departing Newbury Racecourse at 16:40, arriving back at Didcot approx 19:20
Tour distance: approximately 133 miles return.
Please note timings shown are approximate and subject to final timings being received from Network Rail near to the date. We will email the updated timings to you once they are confirmed and post them on this page too.
Classes of Travel
Featuring comfortable seating, you can be assured of a special journey in the authentic 1960s 1st Class coaches.
Points to Note
- You may be sharing a table with other passengers. A limited number of Exclusive Table Upgrades are available to reserve the table for you. This table may be a dedicated table for 2 or a larger table for 4 with the other seats left empty.
Traditional seating in an open style interior coach, generally arranged around tables for 4. There is an on train buffet car available to purchase drinks and light snacks during the journey.
About Flying Scotsman
Built in 1923 by the London & North Eastern Railway, Flying Scotsman is one of Britain's most celebrated locomotives.
- 1928: Completed the first non-stop run between London and Edinburgh.
- 1934: Became the first steam locomotive to officially reach 100mph.
- 1968: Recreated its famous non-stop run, celebrating 40 years of service.
- 1969-1973: Toured the USA before being rescued and bought back home to Britain.
- 1988-1989: Toured Australia, becoming the first locomotive to circumnavigate the globe and setting a record non-stop run of 422 miles.
- 2004: Saved by a major National Railway Museum campaign, supported by the public and heritage funds.
- 2016: Completed its most recent major overhaul, returning to service to the delight of fans worldwide.
Weighing 97 tons and stretching 70 feet long, Flying Scotsman remains a jewel in railway history and a true icon of steam travel.
Arriving at Didcot Parkway Station
The train departs from Didcot Parkway. Postcode OX11 7NR.
Car Parking
Parking is usually plentiful at Didcot Parkway and is Pay & Display. For more information, visit National Rail.
Platform
The platform will be advertised on the departure screens usually with the word CHARTER.
You may need to show your confirmation email to gateline staff at the ticket barriers.
Our representatives will be around the station concourse or platforms to assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make changes or cancel your booking, please contact us as soon as possible either by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01629 380600.
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions of booking for full cancellation policy - click here.
Timings shown on this page are approximate and are subject to final confirmation by Network Rail. As soon as we have these times, we will email those with a booking with the final times and also update this page. Confirmed timings can arrive as late as 2 days prior to the tour.
As this tour is running on the National Rail network, it is dependant on other trains running on the network. Fox & Edwards Events are not responsible for the late running of the train and any costs to passengers which may occur as a result.
Should Flying Scotsman is unable to operate the train, we will endeavour to operate the tour with an alternative locomotive, which may be diesel. In this instance, a 30% refund of the ticket price will be automatically made.
Please contact us on 01629 380600 prior to booking to discuss your requirements. Unfortunately, due to the heritage nature of the train in use, we are unable to carry wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
If the tour begins from a large main line station then there are likely to be toilets, however occasionally this may not be the case. We recommend you check the National Rail website for further details.
There are toilet facilities on board the train, although these may not be suitable for those with accessibility needs.
Generally each tour will have an assisting diesel locomotive on the rear to provide electrical power to the coaches. On some tours, this diesel may lead the train in one direction or for a short time.
Unless explicitly stated, our railtour tickets in both classes do not include any meals. There is an on board buffet/bar for passengers to purchase refreshments and light snacks.
Dates & Times |
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Railtour - Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman (Departs Didcot)
11:00 Tickets AvailableRailtour - Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman (Departs Didcot)
15:25 Tickets AvailableRailtour - Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman (Departs Didcot)
11:00 Tickets AvailableRailtour - Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman (Departs Didcot)
15:25 Tickets Available
