step on board for a driver’s eye view of a record breaking engine

On September 26th, the Museum of Scottish Railways and the 225 Group are opening the doors of No. 91131 ‘Sir Henry Royce’ and inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and stories of the Class 91.

Guided tours will be led by LNER driver Ross Clark, who spent much of his career working these engines on the East Coast Main Line.

A specially created soundscape will punctuate the tour, from the distinctive roar of the locomotive to the sounds that shaped everyday life in the cab. As Ross talks visitors through the set up, controls, and the experience of handling these engines at speed, the soundscape will help recreate what it felt like to be in the driver’s seat of a Class 91 travelling at speed.

Tours will begin in No. 1 cab, before moving through the equipment tunnel to No. 2 cab, which was designed for overnight services but ultimately never used. Visitors will hear how the locomotive worked, explore crew spaces normally hidden from view, and then step down to explore a different world beneath the solebar, with an expert introduction to the unique transmission and bogie arrangements.

Members of the 225 Group will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions and share their knowledge of No. 91131, its service life and the work now underway to care for and interpret the locomotive.

This is a rare chance to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and stories of a machine that helped power modern Anglo-Scottish rail travel.  Tours will last around 40 minutes and will run in small groups of up to six people.  Tickets can be booked in advance or secured on the day subject to availability.

Please note: access to the cab and equipment tunnel involves steps, handrails and confined areas, and may not be suitable for visitors with limited mobility.