Here is a brief potted-history of how an idea turned into a campaign, that turned into a wonderful restoration of a British icon.
November 2003: The NRM says it may step in to by Flying Scotsman, amid reports it may be sold off to a Japanese of American theme park
December 2003: Calls grow for the NRM to step in
March 2004: The Save Our Scotsman campaign is launched. Within days, pledges pour in.
April 2004: Victory! The NRM wins its battle
May 2004: Railfest 2004, and Flying Scotsman returns to York to cheering crowds, but it has to be towed in rather than entering in steam - a hint of the long restoration work that lay ahead.
July 2004: Flying Scotsman heads from York to Scarborough
2005: More runs and more crowds, as enthusiasts rush to ride the famous loco
September 2005: NRM bosses announce Flying Scotsman will be off the tracks for 20 months, for a major overhaul
October 2006: The NRM holds an auction in aid of the restoration
October 2007: Restoration continues - but the estimated completion date is now 2009...
February 2009: ... Make that 2010...
February 2010:... or 2011...
December 2010: The NRM turns down an anonymous £2.5m offer for Flying Scotsman
May 2011: Donors who helped fund the restoration are given a glimpse of the locomotive
May 2012: Railfest 2012 - Flying Scotsman is a star attraction, but the restoration work is not yet finished
October 2012: The restoration bill tops £2.67m
March 2013: The bill goes up, and the NRM say Flying Scotsman won't be back on the tracks until 2015
January 2014: There are no more problems, say NRM bosses. Work continues apace...
January 2015: Work to be completed "by the end of the year"
July 2015: The restoration enters the final stages...
November 2015: A series of celebratory events is announced
February 2016: The long wait is over!
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