The Flying Scotsman will make its final 2026 visit to the North East later this month, with weekend trips running from Darlington to Stanhope.
The world-famous locomotive will head to County Durham for the excursions, which are being hosted by Fox & Edwards on November 13, 14 and 15. Passengers can board at Darlington and travel along the branch line to Bishop Auckland, passing the museum at Hopetown, before continuing along the preserved Weardale Railway to Stanhope and back.
Weekend excursion details
There are two departure slots each day, with the first train leaving at 8.40am and the second at 1.40pm. The three-hour excursion will see the Flying Scotsman lead the train in one direction, with a diesel locomotive hauling it in the other direction, with the Scotsman on the rear in a 'top and tail' formation.
Ticket holders will be able to relax as the rugged Wear Valley and North Pennines National Landscape scenery rolls by, before stretching their legs at Stanhope ahead of the return journey. Tickets are priced from £79 for adults and £20 for children in standard class, with first class tickets available at £129.
Previous visit disruption
The locomotive's excursion up to Newcastle did not go to plan last Christmas, when a lengthy delay at York meant it only ended up being in the region for a matter of minutes, rather than the scheduled few hours that would have given passengers a chance to visit the Christmas Market. Despite this, it always draws a crowd.
Fox & Edwards have seen great success with their fish and chip rides from Tanfield Railway over the last few years, and are now offering these final chances to experience the Flying Scotsman in the North East before 2026 is over.
