THE Flying Scotsman had been due to arrive at Warrington Bank Quay station this weekend.

The famous engine had planned to head through town as part of a fundraising mission on a trip to North Wales.

But unfortunately the trip has now been cancelled due to Network Rail announcing they need to close part of the Chat Moss line near Patricroft on the same day.

A rescheduled date has not been announced. 

This week, Patrick Mullee, from Stockton Heath, got in touch with his memories of the famous engine.

He was the owners representative back in the 1980s and his duties included day to day maintenance and he is a qualified loco driver.

Patrick added: “Unfortunately in those days it was a ruling that no steam locomotives were allowed to work underneath the electrified lines so I never did get the pleasure of flying through Bank Quay whistle blowing.

“However I did it through Northwich that was as close as I ever got.

“Working on the engine I travelled all over the country and everywhere we went we were greeted by hundreds of people, all keen to see 4472 as she was numbered then.

“It was in 1984 after arriving back from a 10-day tour of Scotland I was summoned into George Hinchcliffe’s office in Carnforth.

“I was sworn to great secrecy due to IRA activity at that time, But we were to work a train from Manchester to Spalding Lincolnshire and on the return we would take the engine off at March Cambridgeshire.

“We were to stay there until the following week when we would, under the cover of darkness and great secrecy, make our way to Stratford locomotive works in London.

“The purpose of all the secrecy was we were going to work a Royal train carrying HRH the Queen Mother.

“Because of her affinity with the people of the east end during the war, she was chosen to open the railway museum at North Woolwich.

“A full week was spent cleaning and polishing the engine and it was practice for the Great Eastern Railway to paint the cab roof white for any Royal occasion this was duly carried out.

“On the day prior to the run the engine was positioned over an inspection pit and it was my duty to take a bomb disposal officer and his dog under the engine then onto the footplate through the corridor tender and finally into the coal looking for any suspect devices.

“Given the all clear we carried out our Royal Train duties duties without any problems.

“It was a wonderful and proud day for us all.”