FORGET the HS2 high-speed rail project — it was a historic steam locomotive that drew the crowds to Bolton railway station on Saturday.

The LNER A4 class 4488, Union of South Africa, with its British Railways number of 60009, stopped at Bolton at 8.08am.

It had set off from Crewe at 6am and had called at Wilmslow, Stockport and Manchester Victoria to pick up passengers.

The train went over Chat Moss to join the West coast mainline at Golborne junction, before stopping at Bolton and heading off to Blackburn.

It travelled along the Settle to Carlisle line and arrived in Carlisle at 12.55pm.