The Flying Scotsman is the best-known locomotive in the world, a survey across four continents found.
It beat Japan’s bullet train, India’s Rajadhani Express and the fastest-ever steam locomotive, Mallard. The engine, the first to hit 100mph, will be back on the tracks soon after after a £4.2million renovation.
People across four continents were asked to name five trains or engines they had heard of and the famous green-and-black loco topped a league table that also included the Japanese bullet train, India’s Rajadhani Express and the fastest-ever steam locomotive, Mallard.
The National Railway Museum commissioned the worldwide survey, by YouGov, and released the result to coincide with the 81st anniversary of Flying Scotsman being the first locomotive to break the 100mph barrier.
The museum is gearing up to the engine’s return to the tracks early next year after a decade-long, £4.2 million renovation.
It topped the poll just ahead of the the Rajadhani Express - the pride of the Indian railway network - the Orient Express and the Ghan, Australia’s 1,800 miles pan-continental service.
Other entries included the real and the fictional.
Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express sneaked in at number 25 and Thomas the Tank Engine was at number 11.
And the pioneering Puffing Billy and Stephenson’s Rocket are at 17 and 14, respectively.
Doncaster-built Flying Scotsman reached 100mph on a London-to-Leeds run, driven by William Sparshatt, on November 30 1934.
The final touches of its restoration are ongoing at the works of Riley & Son Ltd in Bury.
Its inaugural run - from London King’s Cross to York - is planned for February.
Museum director Paul Kirkman said: “Along with all our generous supporters for this complex project, we have all been looking forward to the day when Flying Scotsman is once again running on Britain’s tracks.
“Our survey, carried out across four global markets, backs up the claim that it is probably the most famous locomotive and express train service in the world.
“We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to experience the essence of Flying Scotsman, first-hand at our museum, through a series of innovative and colourful exhibitions and events”
Heritage minster Tracey Crouch, said: “After a decade of regeneration, the anticipated return of the world famous and much loved Flying Scotsman is almost upon us.
“From early 2016 The Scotsman will tour the UK as a working museum exhibit, educating fans of all ages about the wonders of the engineering behind its steam traction.
“This is a wonderful way to tell the story of this iconic and well-travelled locomotive and will ensure that people now and in the future understand why it is such an important part of Great Britain’s heritage.”
The museum is planning a series of exhibitions and events to welcome Flying Scotsman back to steam.
The result of the online YouGov poll in the UK, United States, India and Australia was:
- Flying Scotsman
- Rajadhani Express
- Orient Express
- The Ghan
- Shatabdi Express
- Amtrak
- Indian Pacific
- Mallard
- Duronto Express
- Bullet Train
- Thomas the Tank Engine
- Garib Rath
- Chennai Express
- Stephenson’s Rocket
- Overlander
- Trans-Siberian Express
- Puffing Billy
- Eurostar
- Union Pacific
- Deccan Queen
- The Blue Train
- Palace on Wheels
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Brighton Belle
- Hogwarts Express
