Seventy thousand travellers pass through Waverley station every day and during rush hour over 250 trains come and go to every corner of the UK. But today, crowds have gathered to see the arrival of the Union of South Africa. Built in 1937 and the only member of the ‘A4 class’ of stream-lined steam locomotives still fully operational, this magnificent machine – known as ‘Number 9’ to steam enthusiasts - will journey north, across the Forth Bridge and along Scotland’s east coastal line to Aberdeen, before winding her way back to Edinburgh shortly after sunset.

‘Number 9’ has been crossing the famous Forth Bridge for nearly a century. For much of its life, it ran this line every day and, in 1964, it hauled the last passenger steam train from Kings Cross.But today’s trip is tinged with sadness – because later this year, Number 9 is set to retire and is bidding farewell to the lines and landmarks it’s called home for the past eighty years.

There are 200 passengers onboard for today’s farewell journey along with the proud owner of Number 9; 80-year-old Fife native, John Cameron. A sheep farmer by trade, John’s lifelong passion has always been the railway. as a teenager, he rode the footplate of his local steam trains. We ride on the footplate with John and meet the crew and passengers to find out how much Number 9 means to steam enthusiasts. We see the 167 tonne steam locomotive rotated 180 degrees on the recently refurbished Ferry Hill turntable so she can make one final return journey to Edinburgh. As the sun sets, Number 9 bids a final farewell to the rugged landscapes and quaint villages it’s served for the best part of a century.