60103 "Flying Scotsman" The Portsmouth Flyer 17th June 2023

What could only be described as a whirlwind & honourable few days after being involved with Flying Scotsman hauling the Royal Train from York to Pickering to take King Charles III over the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the railway opening, the week was finished off by taking 60103 to my home town, a second event that I thought that I would never have the pleasure of being involved in.

Unfortunately, due to a gauging issue at Petersfield, the train could not run down the planned "Pompey Direct" which was extremely disappointing but the alternative was to run via Basingstoke, Winchester & Eastleigh.

After the planned water stop at Winchfield, the camera is switched on to capture the run south before turning east at Eastleigh towards Fareham before heading south again into Portsmouth at Cosham Junction & Portcreek Junction.

Flying Scotsman had been past Portsmouth when it hauled the VSOE Pullmans back in the late 1990's/early 2000's but this is the first time it had visited the city. The crowds increased tremendously as we got closer to Portsmouth & what an honour it was to bring the engine to my home town city for people to see it.

A spirited run & another memorable day was had so please enjoy the footage.

Many thanks for watching!