10a. Live Steam engines at York Station

City of YORK SCENES

*  York Area Index  *

[Author and photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD plus notes help from AI these days, page updated May19th 2026]

Nostalgic Steam Train Photos from the 1960s  *  Email: chem55555@hotmail.com

See also York NRM Part 1 * NRM 2 * NRM 3 * NRM 4 * NRM 5 * NRM 6 workshop

 Steam at York (1) * Steam at York (2) * Steam at York (3) * Diesel & Electric Traction at York Station

HERITAGE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES at YORK STATION

46201 or 6201 PRINCESS ELIZABETH

The nameplate of ex LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway) 4-6-2 pacific PRINCESS ELIZABETH of locomotive 6201 which became British Railways BR 46201.

Stanier 4-6-2 Pacific Princess Royal Class 6201 PRINCESS ELIZABETH arriving at York Station with a special steam excursion charter train from Crewe to Scarborough - THE SCARBOROUGH FLYER. A splendid Victorian iron-work setting of the station arches for this magnificent 20th century locomotive.

6201 was built in Crewe Works in 1933 to the design of Sir William A Stanier FRS and ever since loved by people of all ages!

6201 is owned by the East Lancashire Railway and available for chartered train hire.

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6201 departing with the "SCARBOROUGH FLYER" from York Station Platform 5

71000 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

The 4-6-2 pacific locomotive 71000 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER on the "THE WHITE ROSE" express train run from London, Kings Cross Station.

71000 Duke of Gloucester is also owned by the East Lancashire Railway heritage company.

71000 in action whilst visiting the nearby North Yorkshire Moors Railway

5972 OLTON HALL

Ex GWR/BR Hall Class locomotive 5972 OLTON HALL  resting peacefully by the NRM museum after hauling a steam train excursion.

The old passenger train 4-6-0 steam locomotive 5972 OLTON HALL (built at Swindon in 1937) alongside the 'ex new diesel' 47798 PRINCE WILLIAM, now of heritage status itself with the advent of new high-speed passenger trains!

For £1 fare you can have little ride on a real working steam train.

5972 OLTON HALL is owned by the West Coast Railway Company of Carnforth.

5972 OLTON HALL is currently painted in maroon livery and ...

... carrying the HOGWARTS RAILWAYS logo on the side of the tender for its HOGWARTS EXPRESS part in the Harry Potter films (has been named HOGWARTS CASTLE for the film too).

1927 (3) ROYAL SCOT CLASS 6115/46115 SCOTS GUARDSMAN

Class 6P/7P 4-6-0 Ex BR 46115 SCOTS GUARDSMAN was built from a Fowler design as LMS 6115 in 1927 by the North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow, Scotland, and rebuilt in 1950 at Crewe Locomotive Works and later fitted with a double chimney to improve efficiency.

46115 SCOTS GUARDSMAN at York Station with THE SCARBOROUGH SPA EXPRESS

A Great Western Railway poster advertising trains to the Cornish Riviera

See also York NRM Part 1 * NRM 2 * NRM 3 * NRM 4 * NRM 5 * NRM 6 workshop

 Steam at York (1) * Steam at York (2) * Steam at York (3) * Diesel & Electric Traction at York Station

Some notes on live steam trains observed at York

Below is a complete, structured, enthusiast‑level guide to the heritage steam locomotives and steam‑hauled trains you can see at York Station, based on current, sourced information about the National Railway Museum's collection and its operational mainline fleet, plus the types of visiting steam locomotives that regularly appear on railtours through York.

York is one of the best places in Britain to see mainline steam, because:

• It sits on the East Coast Main Line, a prime route for steam charters.

• It is next door to the National Railway Museum, which houses the national collection and occasionally moves locomotives across the station throat.

• It is close to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, whose engines sometimes visit York.

• It is a major servicing and turning point for charters to Scarborough, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and the Settle–Carlisle line.

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1. NRM‑Associated Steam Locomotives Seen at York Station

The National Railway Museum holds some of the most famous steam locomotives in the world. While most are static, several are operational or move through York for events, transfers, or mainline tours.

⭐ Flying Scotsman – LNER A3 No. 60103

• The world's most famous steam locomotive.

• Owned by the NRM since 2004.

• Regularly appears at York Station when entering/exiting the museum or working mainline tours.

• Confirmed as part of the NRM collection.

⭐ Mallard – LNER A4 No. 4468

• World steam speed record holder (126 mph, 1938).

• Static exhibit, but occasionally moved across the museum's demonstration line.

• Part of the NRM's core collection.

⭐ Sir Nigel Gresley – LNER A4 No. 60007

• Often visits York for events and transfers.

• Listed among the NRM's associated engines.

⭐ Stirling Single No. 1

• Historic 4‑2‑2 express engine.

• Static, but sometimes positioned near the station during events.

• Confirmed in NRM collection.

⭐ Stephenson's Rocket (replica)

• Replica of the 1829 locomotive.

• Static, but part of the NRM's display.

⭐ Other NRM steam locomotives occasionally visible during moves

• Evening Star (BR 9F 92220)

• City of Truro (GWR 3440)

• Lode Star (GWR 4003)

• Chinese Government Railways KF7

• Furness Railway “Old Coppernob”

All confirmed as part of the NRM's York collection.

These locomotives are normally inside the museum, but when they are repositioned, transferred, or used for events, they pass across the station throat, visible from platforms 2–5.

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2. Mainline Steam Locomotives Regularly Seen at York Station

York is a major hub for steam charters, especially:

• Scarborough Spa Express

• The Yorkshire Pullman

• The Dalesman

• The North Briton

• The Flying Scotsman Centenary tours

While not all are in the NRM collection, they are frequently seen at York.

⭐ Common visiting mainline steam locomotives

These locomotives are not part of the NRM collection but are regular visitors:

• LNER A1 Peppercorn 60163 Tornado

• LMS 6233 Duchess of Sutherland

• LMS 46115 Scots Guardsman

• LMS 45690 Leander

• LNER B1 61306 Mayflower

• LNER K1 62005 (NYMR engine)

• SR 34046 Braunton

• SR 35018 British India Line

• BR Standard 70000 Britannia

• BR Standard 45231 The Sherwood Forester

These appear on railtours that pass through York or start/terminate there.

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3. Steam-Hauled Trains Seen at York

York sees a wide variety of steam‑hauled trains:

⭐ A. Scarborough Spa Express (summer season)

• One of the most famous steam services in Britain.

• Runs York → Scarborough and return.

• Often hauled by:

  • Tornado

  • Mayflower

  • Scots Guardsman

  • Leander

⭐ B. The Dalesman / The Waverley

• Steam charters to the Settle–Carlisle line.

• Often pass through York or originate there.

⭐ C. The Flying Scotsman Centenary Tours

• Special tours marking the locomotive's anniversaries.

• Departures and arrivals at York are major events.

⭐ D. NRM Special Movements

• Locomotives being moved for:

  • Railfest

  • Mallard reunions

  • Restoration

  • Temporary exhibitions

• These movements often cross the station throat.

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4. Why York Is a Steam Hotspot

Based on the museum's location and collection:

• The NRM is adjacent to York Station, occupying the former NER depot.

• The museum includes a demonstration line and operational siding, allowing occasional running of selected exhibits.

• York is a major ECML junction, ideal for charters.

• The station is close to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which sends locomotives to York for events.

• York is a turning and servicing point for Scarborough‑bound steam tours.

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5. Where to See Steam at York Station

⭐ Best vantage points

• Platform 3 / 5 (south end) – best for arrivals from London direction.

• Platform 9 / 11 (north end) – best for departures to Scarborough or Newcastle.

• Footbridge inside the station – overhead views of steam locomotives.

• Queen Street Bridge – classic photography location for steam departures.

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6. Summary

York Station is one of the premier steam‑spotting locations in Britain, thanks to:

• The presence of the National Railway Museum and its world‑famous locomotives (Flying Scotsman, Mallard, Sir Nigel Gresley).

• Regular mainline steam charters.

• Seasonal Scarborough Spa Express workings.

• Frequent visiting locomotives from heritage railways.

• Occasional NRM locomotive movements across the station throat.

York is one of the few places where you can see:

• A4 Mallard (static)

• A3 Flying Scotsman (operational)

• A4 Sir Nigel Gresley (visiting)

• A1 Tornado

• LMS Pacifics

• BR Standards
  …all within the same year.

'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

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INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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