Flying Scotsman passes through High Wycombe

Editor | June 5, 2018

The Flying Scotsman passed through High Wycombe on Tuesday 5th June 2018.

It was the second time in a week the historic steam locomotive had visited the town, the previous visit was on Thursday 31st May 2018.

The train was hauling ‘The Cathedrals Express’ which was the feature service of the ‘Chiltern Hills Lunchtime Tour’, operated by Steam Dreams.

Departing London Paddington at 12.23pm the train travelled down the Great Western line to Old Oak Common before branching off on the rarely used Great Western link line to Northolt Junction where it joined the Chiltern Line (formerly the Great Western & Great Central joint line).

Many people had gathered at High Wycombe railway station to see the train. Eager to get a glimpse of the most famous steam locomotive in the world the bridge overlooking the station on the Amersham Hill was packed with people as was the footbridge which links Priory Avenue to Caste Street close to the former site of the Wycombe Middle Signal Box.

At 1.20pm, precisely on time, the sound of a whistle punctuated the air and the LNER Class A3 locomotive, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built in February 1923, appeared in the distance hauling twelve period coaches and a trailing diesel locomotive at the rear.

Easing off the power to negotiate the tight bend after High Wycombe station the train rolled majestically through High Wycombe station without stopping.

For a few precious seconds the assembled crowd started cheering before falling silent in awe as the train passed by.

The train negotiated the tight curves past the station before the driver opened up the engine accelerating to full speed for some fast running through West Wycombe, Bradenham, Saunderton, Princes Risborough and on to its destination of London Victoria (scheduled arrival 5.19pm) via Oxford.