looking for info on Flying scotsman 1963 railtour to Liverpool

hi Guys


Im looking for info on the preserved 4472, my dad at a young age of 8 in 1963, is adamant that his father took him to Walton junction north Liverpool, to watch 4472 go past on a special into Liverpool exchange from the Wigan direction, around 7.00pm in the evening, he says he was then taken about an hour later to Walton on the hill depot, to see the loco being serviced.

but as of yet, we have still not found any evidence of this run, although weve managed to work it out as sometime between April to December 1963,
April I believe to be the first run of 4472 in apple green, and December was when Walton on the hill motive power depot closed.

he says he remembers it quite vividly, one reason was he never spent much time with his dad and he took him on his BSA motorbike.

Im wondering does anyone know if there is any records of flying scotsman's special trains it worked in 1963? I would have thought it to be well documented, but as of yet, cannot find anything

checked six bells junction, believe it to be the Northern rubber company special, but no info or any pics have come to light

many thanks

Mike

 

This site is a good source of info on 1960s railtours but I couldn't find the 4472 run in 1963 that you mentioned. Northern Rubber is definitely a likely operator as Alan Pegler was a director (?) of that company.

http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/

 

I have had a look through the RCTS Railway Observers for 1963. I can find no reference to this.

 

thank you chaps

I cant remember where I found the info on the Northern rubber special, but your right its not on the six bells site, doing lots of research for other projects tells me that just because its not written down somewhere doesnt mean it didnt happen.

the date isnt 100% it may have been later, I just assumed with Walton on the hill depot closing in 1963.

he's adamant its flying scotsman, he says he remembers vividly walking round it on the shed, and looking in the shed building, but he seems to think the shed was empty so it could well have been after the shed officially closed.
he was a bit of a spotter so its not just someone saying its flying scotsman because thats the famous one.

one would have assumed that the loco would have been serviced at Bank hall, but there where tight curves leading onto that shed. next one would be Aintree, but Im only going by what he says.

its a mystery Id love to be solved

thanks

Mike

 

Grand National special trains were serviced at Walton depot, among others in the Liverpool area. There was a turntable, out of use in 1963 but loco's were turned on the Walton triangle. I seem to recall 60103 being on one of those special trains. Still looking for details.
http://lenpentin.20fr.com/gn.htm
this chappie also has an interest in the area.

 

I seem to remember it passing through the Calder Valley and stopping for water at Sowerby Bridge....................I,ll try and do some scratching about

 

thanks chaps

I did do quite a bit of research on the grand national specials and no mention of it was ever made. so Im not sure it was a grand national special but never rule anything out.
grand national days where days when railway enthusiasts would be out and about in numbers.

I think another reason it went to Walton could be to turn on the triangle there as mentioned, not sure what size Aintree's turntable was. the tight curves into Bank hall prevented other locos such as duchesses using the shed.

Mike