WERE you there when Oliver Cromwell came to Bolton?

It was on August 11, 1968 and hundreds of people lined the railway track to see 70013 Oliver Cromwell, a Britannia class locomotive which was advertised as "the last steam passenger train on British Railways."

It is due to feature in the series of 10 weekly lectures on Railway History which the WEA starts in Bolton Town Hall this Thursday (September 23) at 7pm.

Tutor Bill James will lead discussions on a wide range of railway topics from the past 200 years - illustrated by slides, maps, diagrams and videos.

Each evening will include four or five topics.

Bill tells me that when Oliver Crompton came to Bolton, British Railways had announced that they were scrapping all steam locos in favour of diesel powered motive power.

He writes: "But fortunately for the many steam railway enthusiasts, that promise was not fulfilled - some 300 or so locos were saved from scrapping and many of them have, in the past 40-odd years, been repaired to operate on preserved railways and some have hauled trains on the main lines, owned successively by British Railways, British Rail, Railtrack and NetworkRail.

"After its last run 36 years ago, from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle, via Bolton to Blackburn and the Settle and Carlisle line, 70013 took itself to Diss, Norfolk and it was installed in the Bressingham Steam Museum.

"It stayed until May 21 this year, when it was moved (by road transport) to York for the Railfest Exhibition, commemorating 200 years of steam power on railways - Richard Trevithick's locomotive had hauled a train of coal wagons at Penydarren in South Wales in 1804.

"Now, Oliver Cromwell is to be completely overhauled at the Great Central Railway at Loughborough and is expected to steam again some time in 2007.

"The rebuild is to be to the very high standards required by the authorities so that 70013 can haul passenger trains again on the main lines of NetworkRail (or whatever it is called then).

"Perhaps Oliver Cromwell will pay a return visit to Bolton after 40 years or so."

More information about the WEA railway lectures is available from Mr James on 01257 483289 or Keith Povey on 01204 304111.

WEA booklets are available from the Library.