Worksop: Muriel boards the world-famous Flying Scotsman 85 years after her first ride with the iconic locomotive

A Worksop woman embarked on a nostalgic journey when she boarded the Flying Scotsman for the second time - 85 years after her first ride on the famous locomotive.
Muriel Fox with her nephew Perry Fox wait on Retford Train Station platform for their connection to ride the Flying Scotsman.Muriel Fox with her nephew Perry Fox wait on Retford Train Station platform for their connection to ride the Flying Scotsman.
Muriel Fox with her nephew Perry Fox wait on Retford Train Station platform for their connection to ride the Flying Scotsman.

Muriel Fox, 90, of Devonshire Street, was delighted when her nephew, Perri Fox, took her on a magical trip aboard the Scotsman from Retford to Newcastle on Tuesday (May 10).

Muriel first boarded the Scotsman with her dad, William Kirkby, in the 1930s.

Perri tells their remarkable story: “William was working as a porter boy and general dogsbody in Worksop and Retford when he ran away, lied about his age, and enlisted in the 10th Essex Regiment in 1916.

“He lost a leg in the war and was shipped home, where he was put on a train travelling North with lots of other injured servicemen.

“The train was met in Worksop or Nottingham Station by the Duchess of Portland who lived in Welbeck with the Duke.

“They asked that all men from the Nottinghamshire area to be removed from the train and taken into her care. William Kirby was taken to the Roehampton Hospital where he became one of the first amputees in the country to be fitted with a prosthetic limb.

“He returned to his home after the war, where, despite his disablement, he was reemployed by the LNER railway company as a signalman- a job he held for 47 years. “He did not take one days sickness during his 47 years of employment.”

Once on the Scotsman, which has travelled up to Retford from London King’s Cross, Muriel enjoyed a special dinner as the locomotive hurtled towards Newcastle.

The 90-year-old is well known in the Worksop area, as was her husband Frank who ran for England and subsequantly ran Worksop Athletics Club.