Signing off
As the Scotsman steams through North Wales, it’s time for us to close down today’s blog.
Thanks for following our updates and I hope you enjoyed the sight of such an iconic steam engine right here in Chester.
The Scotsman will, of course, be back in Chester this evening... and will return next Thursday (June 23).
Look out on The Chronicle’s website later today as we’ll have more great pics and a report of today’s events.
In full flight
Liverpool Echo photographer Gavin Trafford took these great shots of Flying Scotsman passing the bridge at Curzon Road North.
Today's journey
So where next? Well, the train is due to run nonstop along the North Wales Coast line passing Rhyl at about 2pm before arriving at Llandudno Junction for a 20-minute water stop at about 2.30pm.
The train will stop briefly at Bangor after 3pm and is due to arrive at Holyhead at about 4pm.
The passengers will head towards a ferry for a tour of Ireland before The Flying Scotsman retraces its steps back along the North Wales coast leaving Holyhead at 6pm, arriving at Llandudno Juntion at 6.30pm, Llandudno Junction at 6.45pm and Chester at about 8pm.
Flying Scotsman will be replaced at Crewe for the return journey to London Euston by an electric locomotive.
Vantage point
Gavin, who works for our sister paper the Liverpool Echo, has found himself a good spot.
Steaming out of Crewe
Hearing the Scotsman has now left Crewe. So be ready if you are heading out to a bridge or other safe vantage point. It is expected to come in to Platform 4 here at Chester where it will stop for a few minutes.
Pooling resources
We’re hoping for some great pictures of the Scotsman en route from Crewe through Chester and into North Wales.
We have reporter Mike Fuller at Chester Station, of course, but photographers from our sister papers The Daily Post (Wales) and Liverpool Echo are also taking up safe vantage points along the route.
Did you know?
Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster, becoming the first locomotive of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). The engine left the works on February 24, 1923.
It/he/she (!) was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class, the most powerful locomotives used by the LNER at that time.
World first
Why is the engine so special?
Well, Flying Scotsman, often known by its pre-war locomotive number 4472, was the world’s first steam locomotive officially credited with achieving 100mph, in 1934.
Him or her?
Mr Fuller seems confused as to the Scotsman’s gender. He’s probably not the only one.
Stay safe
The safety advice comes after Network Rail said ‘a huge number of trespassers’ keen to get a look at the Scotsman risked their lives by straying on to rail tracks earlier this year.
Network Rail managing director Phil Hufton said: “I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to go onto the railway without any formal training and without permission, as well as being illegal.”
Chief inspector David Oram from the British Transport Police said: “We understand people are excited about seeing the Flying Scotsman’s return and want them to have a great day out.”
Why no exact times?
For safety reasons, specific times for when the train is passing by were kept under wraps... although we now know the Scotsman is due in Chester at roughly 1.30pm.
Operator Steam Dreams has advised those wanting to come out and watch should use bridges or ‘other suitable, safe places’.
A Steam Dreams statement said: “We respectfully asks that all people who wish to see Flying Scotsman do so from a permitted location and do not trespass on the railway.
“While we understand interest will be extremely high, we urge those wishing to view it on its tour dates do so from a safe vantage point.”
Looking good
Here’s a picture of the Scotsman at Crewe earlier today. She is due to make the short trip from there to Chester soon, before heading across the border.
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to our Flying Scotsman blog.
The iconic loco will pass through Chester on its route from Crewe to North Wales, stopping briefly at Chester Railway Station.
Exact timings of the Scotsman’s arrival in Chester have not been released but we’re expecting it to be in at around 1.30pm, although it could be sooner.
We have reporter Mike Fuller at the station and also photographers along the route, so stick with us for updates and all the best pictures of this wonderful old steam engine through the afternoon.
