ONE of the world’s most famous steam trains will be touring the Severn Estuary on a trip from Newport and passing through Chepstow.

The Flying Scotsman, described as the most famous steam locomotive in the world, will be taking passengers on a scenic journey along the Severn Estuary on Friday, May 19.

Steam trains fans will be looking to catch sight of the famous locomotive as it travels past Chepstow and Lydney to Gloucester, enjoying views of the Severn road suspension bridge, Chepstow Castle, and 20 miles of the River Severn.

It will then travel back to Newport through the Severn Tunnel. The return journey between Bristol and Newport will be diesel-hauled.

Built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works, the locomotive was employed on long-distance express trains, notably on the London to Edinburgh Flying Scotsman train service, after which it was named.

The locomotive set two world records for steam traction, becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour on November 30, 1934, and then setting a record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles on August 8, 1989 while in Australia.

It retired from regular service in 1963 after covering 2,076,000 miles but has continued to tour after being preserved.

As well as hauling enthusiast specials in the United Kingdom, the locomotive toured extensively in the United States and Canada from 1969 to 1973 and Australia from 1988 to 1989.

To find out more about the Flying Scotsman, go to flyingscotsman.org.uk For more information on Flying Scotsman trips visit tour operator The Cathedrals Express at bit.ly/2prnMWj