An iconic British rail service is set to make a historic return to London for the first time in years. Rail operator LNER will reinstate the Flying Scotsman service from London's King's Cross station, more than 100 years after it first began operating.
New Timings and Services
Starting from 18 May, a daily service using LNER Azuma trains will depart from both Edinburgh and London at 10am and 10.30am respectively. Historically, the Flying Scotsman operated two simultaneous 10am departures from London King's Cross and the Scottish capital. The service, part of the LNER timetable, has previously operated an early morning service from Edinburgh before 6am with no northbound equivalent. A timetable change in December 2025 allowed the rail journeys to be brought closer to their original timings, according to LNER.
Celebratory Launch
To mark the reinstated morning service, passengers will be welcomed with an in-station performance by The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Customers travelling on the two services will also be offered a Scottish-themed menu featuring haggis, neeps and tatties. The service, first run in 1862, adopted the Flying Scotsman name in 1924. It should not be confused with the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive, which became the first engine to reach 100mph in 1934.
Modern Comfort and Heritage
LNER Azuma trains will now deliver the historic route, offering passengers "comfort, speed and convenience". Stuart Thomas, communications director at LNER, said: "It's fantastic to see the Flying Scotsman service move much closer to its historic departure timings. The service became famous for its simultaneous 10am departures from London King's Cross and Edinburgh, and these revised departure times are as close as we can get to that today."
Tim Dunn, railway historian and broadcaster, added that the timetable change is a "wonderful nod to its truly iconic heritage". He said: "Twenty-first century travellers know that it's often better to fly by electric train than to fly by oil-guzzling plane: with the Flying Scotsman, I hope even more will realise that they too can make the switch."
