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Flying Scotsman, an LNER Class A3 Pacific, is the last of Gordon's brothers. He holds the record for being the first engine to officially run at 100 mph. In addition, Flying Scotsman has been described as the world's most famous steam locomotive.
Biography
The Railway Series
In 1967, Flying Scotsman came to Sodor to cheer up his only surviving brother, Gordon. He had two tenders at the time he arrived, causing Henry to feel jealous. During his visit, he got on well with most of the Fat Controller's Engines and took charge of "the Limited" in place of 7101 when Henry rescued both him and 199 as both diesels failed. After his visit, Flying Scotsman left with his enthusiasts when the Fat Controller announced that steam engines will still be at work on the North Western Railway.
Gordon later said that Flying Scotsman told him about the Silver Jubilee.
Thomas & Friends
Flying Scotsman (his name is not mentioned) visits Sodor and his two tenders appeared emerging out of Knapford Harbour station. The engines admired his two tenders (except Henry), which the Fat Controller said were due to long distances between coaling depots. Flying Scotsman is not referred to by name and Gordon does not appear to recognise him.
Much later, Flying Scotsman met Thomas at Vicarstown station, where he told him and Gordon that he had been invited to participate in the Great Railway Show on the Mainland. At the show, he saw Gordon in his streamlined form and was shocked, but still started to tease Gordon. He later competed in the Great Race, alongside Gordon, Spencer, Axel and Etienne. During the race, Flying Scotsman tried to warn Gordon that he was overheating, but Gordon paid no attention to him until his boiler had burst and he could not finish the race. Despite trying hard to win, he finished the race fourth. At the end of the Great Railway Show, Flying Scotsman and Gordon returned to the yard, where he admitted to Gordon that his view on Sudrian engines had improved since their race.
Flying Scotsman was the first engine to encounter Ace and had to avoid him running on the tracks instead of the road. Later that day, when Thomas tricked Gordon into taking his fish trucks for him at the back of the express, Flying Scotsman commented on the smell, jokingly wondering whether it was coming from Gordon or the fish.
Personality
In the Railway Series, Gordon was happy to see Flying Scotsman when he came to Sodor. Flying Scotsman proved popular with the engines, however, did spark a little jealousy with Henry, who proved envious of his two tenders. He provided Gordon and the others reassurance at a time when steam on the Mainland was officially being abolished in favour of modern diesel traction.
In the television series, Flying Scotsman is a polite and proud engine; however he can be pompous and somewhat smug, like his brother Gordon. Despite being friendly with Thomas and giving him a pep talk, he thought that no famous engines came from Sodor and indicated that he viewed Sudrian engines with low expectations. He later changed his mind after seeing the Sudrian engines competing at the Great Railway Show, realising they were made of "sterner stuff" than he initially believed.
Scotsman has a common sibling relationship with Gordon, and enjoys teasing him, referring to him as his "little brother" to annoy him, using his catchphrase as his own, or bragging about being invited to the Great Railway Show. He does care for him though, as shown when Gordon was overheating during the race and Flying Scotsman urgently warned him to stop.
Technical Details
Real-life History
Flying Scotsman is based upon the real locomotive of the same name, built in February 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works to a design of Sir Nigel Gresley. The locomotive set two world records for steam traction, becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) on 30th November 1934 and then setting a record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles (679 km) on 8th August 1989 while in Australia.
Livery
In the Railway Series and television series, Flying Scotsman is painted in the LNER Apple Green livery with black and white lining and with "LNER" painted on the sides of his first tender and the number "4472" on his second in yellow. In the television series, his pistons are painted a darker green and he lacks lining and his number on his front bufferbeam.
Appearances
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
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Thomas & Friends
Specials
Music Videos
Learning Segments
Videos
A scrapped model of one of Flying Scotsman's tenders can be seen as Thomas backs into the siding near James in Thomas and the Magic Railroad. |
Books
- 1995 - Tender Engines
- 2008 - Thomas' Sticker Express
- 2016 - 6-Movie Coloring Collection, Off to the Races! (does not speak), The Good Sport, The Great Railway Show, The Great Race, The Great Race: Sticker Activity Book and The Great Race: The Movie Storybook
- 2018 - Character Encyclopedia
Videos
Trivia
- He was intended to have a larger role in Tender Engines; however, due to high build costs, the modelling crew could not afford to build the entire engine.
- His headlamps changed from white to silver in Big World! Big Adventures!
- His double tenders are incorrectly depicted with 6 wheels each, although his basis has 8 wheels.
Merchandise
- ERTL (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (2003, 2013 both discontinued)
- TrackMaster
- Capsule Plarail
- Hornby (discontinued)
- Trading Cards (discontinued)
- Wood (cancelled 2018) (rerelease coming 2019)
Quotes
- “You've changed a lot!"
"I had a rebuild at Crewe. They didn't do a proper Doncaster job of course, but it serves."
"I had a rebuild too and looked hideous. But my owner said I was an extra special engine and made them give me back my proper shape."
"Is that why you have two tenders, being special?"
"No, you'd hardly believe it Gordon, but over there they hardly have any coal and water"
"But surely, every proper railway!"
"Exactly. You are lucky Gordon, to have a controller who knows how to run railways.” - ― Gordon reunited with his only remaining brother, Flying Scotsman, "Tenders for Henry"
- “Oh wow! Who's this with two tenders? Hello, are you from the Other Railway? I was built on the Mainland you know. And once, a long time ago, I went back across with the other famous engines from Sodor."
"Is that so? I didn't think there were famous engines on Sodor. Oh, hello Gordon."
"Do you two know each other?"
"Yes, Thomas, we know each other. This is my brother. They call him; 'The Flying Scotsman'."
"Indeed they do. It almost makes me sound famous, doesn't it? Oh, Gordon, I wanted to tell you my news! I've been invited to take part in the Great Railway Show on the Mainland, I shall be racing!"
"Ugh..."
"The Great Railway Show? What's that?"
"Oh, the Great Railway Show is where engines compete to see who's the fastest or the strongest or, what have you. But I'm not sure any engines from Sodor will be going."
"I wouldn't want to go anyway, not if it's full of engines like you always boasting about how exciting things are on the Mainland!"
"Well, I want to go!"
"Of course you do, Thomas. And with any luck, maybe you shall. Flying Scotsman, coming through!” - ― Flying Scotsman meeting up with Thomas and Gordon at Vicarstown and Thomas telling Flying Scotsman the events of Thomas and the Special Letter, "The Great Race"
External Link
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