THE worlds of politics and industry came together today to back a bid to bring a famous piece of railway history to York.
The city's MP, Hugh Bayley, joined GNER's chief operating officer, Jonathan Metcalfe, at York Station to call for public support for the National Railway Museum's bid to buy the Flying Scotsman.
The museum launched its Save Our Scotsman (SOS) appeal after the locomotive's owners announced it was for sale. It has only weeks to raise enough cash to buy the train for the National Collection - the deadline for sealed bids is April 2.
Mr Bayley said: "Britain invented the steam locomotive, and the Flying Scotsman was built in Yorkshire. It's only right that it should be part of the National Collection.
"It is part of our national heritage and mustn't go abroad."
Jonathan Metcalfe said: "Our trains, which sport the motif Route of the Flying Scotsman, carry millions of passengers on the traditional London to Edinburgh route of the famous locomotive.
"It remains one of Britain's most scenic and best-loved journeys and there can be no better home for the locomotive that started the legend than the National Railway Museum."
Anyone wishing to contribute or find out more about the NRM Save Our Scotsman (SOS) Appeal should phone Jon Ingham on 01904 686277 or send an email to jon.ingham@nmsi.ac.uk.
Updated: 10:47 Monday, March 08, 2004
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