Train lover, 3, waves in Flying Scotsman like great-grandad

On Saturday, March 18, Edward Almond, three, welcomed the world-famous locomotive into Ramsbottom station, following in the footsteps of his late great-grandfather, Brian Almond, who used to be a station master in the area.

A video, taken at Ramsbottom station shows Edward, from Bacup, blowing his whistle and waving a flag to welcome the train into the station, just as his great-grandfather would have done.

Edward’s dad, Michael said: “Edward was super excited he insisted on taking his great grandpa’s hat and whistle and also his green flag from the national railway museum.

“Edward even shouts right away after blowing his whistle and waving his flag just like his great-grandpa did.

Edward Almond, 3, in the driver's cabin of the Flying Scotsman (Image: Family handout)

“He wanted to wave off the Flying Scotsman. Afterwards, he said that it was the best train ever and that he has had the best day ever.”

The tot also got a chance to get on the footplate and into the driver’s compartment of the Flying Scotsman during its visit.

Edward’s great-grandpa, Brian Almond, was the station master at Ramsbottom Station on the East Lancashire Railway between 1987- 1997.

Brian Almond, was the station master at Ramsbottom Station on the East Lancashire Railway between 1987- 1997. (Image: Family handout)

He died in September 2019 and the family got a plaque on a bench at Ramsbottom Station to remember him.

Having recently welcomed their second child, Mia Almond, Michael wanted to take her to see her great-grandfather’s bench, which coincided with the Flying Scotsman visit to mark the 100-year anniversary of the locomotive.

Michael added: “Edward knows his great Grandpa waved off the Flying Scotsman many times from Ramsbottom.

Edward with his grandfather's hat and whistle on the platform by the Flying Scotsman (Image: Family handout)

“I’ve got a picture of me, my dad and my grandpa in front of the flying Scotsman from the early 90s.

“Edward often wants me to tell him stories from when my grandpa took me to Ramsbottom.

“The Flying Scotsman holds many special memories for me and so does Ramsbottom Station and I’m sure my Grandpa would be proud that Edward is carrying on the family tradition.

Edward's father Michael as a baby with his father and grandpa in front of the Flying Scotsman in the early 90s (Image: Family handout)

“Edward understands that his Grandpa is in heaven and I explained that he will be watching him waving in the Scotsman.

“The excitement and enjoyment on his face when he hears a train whistle and he knows it’s coming is priceless.”