It was close to the end of Gordon Brown's tenure in No 10. (hard to believe I know, but true). The Parliamentary Labour Party wanted to commemorate the retirement of possibly the last ever New Labour Prime Minister.

They talked at length about how best to show their appreciation, until finally the Minister of Transport suggested that they approach the railway industry to establish if there was an engine available which could be named after him.

After some investigation it transpired that there was a large express engine available, but the cost of having two large brass plaques cast with the name Gordon Brown on would cost several thousand pounds.

The Minister of Transport explained that the Labour Party were very short of funds, what with the country almost bankrupt, and lots of expense claims outstanding, and asked the General Manager of Engine Supply, if there was a less expensive alternative.

After some thought the reply came back, that as long as Gordon Brown didn't mind a used engine, then they could rename a famous old engine 'The Flying Scotsman' after him, for less than a hundred pounds.

The Minister of Transport was most encouraged by this news, but wanted to know how it could be renamed so cheaply. The General Manager of Engine Supply replied 'Simple! We will just paint out the 'F' on each side'