Flying Scotsman will NOT be travelling through Sleaford area this Saturday

The steam-hauled excursion called The White Rose, organised by The Railway Touring Company of King’s Lynn, was thought to be due to pass through Spalding, Sleaford and Lincoln on its way from King’s Cross to York on Saturday.

In publicity material on the company’s website, it had initially said it would leave the East Coast Main Line at Peterborough and join the Great Northern Great Eastern joint line on its way up to York.

There had been delays in getting to know the finalised permitted routes and timings from Network Rail due to safety concerns after train spotters risked their lives stepping on the tracks of the main line to get photos on the Flying Scotsman’s first run after restoration earlier this year.

Amanda Williamson of The Railway Touring Company, told the Standard this week: “We have now received our confirmed route for June 18 and it doesn’t go via Sleaford either on the outward or return.”

The train is likely to be taking the alternative route along the main line instead.