'The Scotsman's Salute', Fri 11 Jan about 0830 at Harringay

The second train in four months to mark the departure of a former owner of Flying Scotsman, following the one for Alan Pegler last October. This special train celebrates the life of Sir William McAlpine, 1936 – 2018. He will be best remembered for saving 4472 ‘Flying Scotsman’ for the nation preventing the famous locomotive from being sold to an American consortium or possibly being sold for scrap when its American tour came to an abrupt end.

Sir William paid for the locomotive to be restored and brought back into main line operation and for this alone, the enthusiast fraternity owes him an enormous debt of gratitude. He also organised the locomotive’s record-breaking trip to Australia in 1988.

His great-grandfather was "Concrete Bob", Sir Robert McAlpine, the founder of the construction company which built Glenfinnan viaduct that features in the Harry Potter films with the Hogwarts Express.

Train details here, times here (departs Kings Cross 0823).

Next steam? Possibly Sat 23 March at (surprise) Harringay Green Lanes if it runs - preliminary details here.