The Royal Scot

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Yesterday would have been the second visit to Skegness for the famous locomotive "Royal Scot", hauling an excursion train from King's Cross. Unfortunately, it was cancelled a while ago. We can at least look back to the first visit.

The locomotive was withdrawn by British Rail in October 1962 and soon after was purchased by Billy Butlin, who intended to have it displayed as a static exhibit at his Holiday Camp in Ingoldmells. 

After some cosmetic work was carried out at Crewe, it was towed to Nottingham by 45038 and, from there to Boston Shed by 61177 on 12th June 1963. It is illustrated during its stay there (rail-online.co.uk).
It was subsequently towed to Skegness by a 4MT locomotive on Wednesday 17th July and parked on one of the Coal Merchant's sidings east of the station, the site of the present Coach Park (rail-online.co.uk).
Eventually, two Pickford's Low-Loaders moved the locomotive and tender on 18th July 1963, for the 3 mile journey to Butlin's Camp. It is illustrated crossing Lumley Square, now the site of the main Taxi Rank (Skegness Standard).
Some archive film of its journey can be seen here.

After arrival at Butlins (Photographer Unknown).
A postcard shows the locomotive in position.
The Skegness Standard newspaper described the journey in detail:
The locomotive would remain there until moved to Bressingham (by road) on 16th March 1971.

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