THE flagship ‘Royal Scot’ will be steaming into Chorley this weekend (February 15).

Trainspotters are expected to be lining the station platform as the vintage 46100 Royal Scot arrives in the town.

The iconic steam locomotive is due to stop at Chorley as part of its circular tour of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

Saphos Trains, part of the Locomotive Services group, state on their website: “We are pleased to present a truly memorable steam hauled circular tour through the magnificent Pennines with travel in our immaculately restored vintage carriages for a journey through deep valleys and the spectacular Yorkshire Dales offering stunning views and the prospect of snow covered peaks as they glisten in winter sunlight, plus taxing climbs to make the engine work hard."

The Pennine Peaks and Valley Explorer leisure passenger service will be stopping at several local stations along the way.

The train will be steam-hauled by the restored engine, the No. 46100 Royal Scot – West Country Class, along the Crewe — Manchester Line.

Built in 1927 ‘Royal Scot’ was the flagship engine of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS).

The Royal Scot will depart from Chorley train station at 11.15am on Saturday, making its return at about 4.15pm. Times may vary.

Tickets for the journey have almost sold out. To book, visit the Saphos Trains website.

Confirmed passenger timings for outward journeys are as follows:

Crewe: Depart 8.40am

Sandbach: Depart 8.50am

Wilmslow: Depart 9.10am

Stockport: Depart 9.25am

Manchester Victoria: Depart 10.30am

Bolton: Depart 10.55am

Chorley: Depart 11.15am

Carnforth (Platform 1): Arrive 12.45pm

Return journeys are as follows:

Carnforth (Platform 2): Depart 1.30pm

Chorley: Arrive 4.15pm

Bolton: Arrive 4.30pm

Manchester Victoria: Arrive 5pm

Stockport: Arrive 6.25pm

Wilmslow: Arrive 6.40pm

Sandbach: Arrive 7.10pm

Crewe: Arrive 7.35pm