The future seen from the past: (was going to)

There are a number of ways of talking about an activity or event that was in the future at a particular point in the past. In order to express this idea, we can use the past tenses of the verb forms we would normally use to talk about the future (will - would, is going to - was going to, is leaving - was leaving, is to talk - was to talk, etc.).

• I was seeing Jim later that day, but I had to phone and cancel. (= I didn't see Jim)
• I didn't phone to break the news to him because we were seeing each other later. He was very upset when I told him. (= we saw each other)
• They left the house at 6.00 am and would reach Edinburgh some 12 hours later. (= they reached Edinburgh)
• He was sure that the medical tests would show that he was healthy. (= we don't know whether he was healthy or not)
Compare was/were to + infinitive and was/were to have + past participle used to talk about an activity or event that was in the future at a particular point in the past:
«At the time she was probably the best actor in the theatre company, but in fact some of her colleagues were to become much better known.
• He was to find out years later that the car he had bought was stolen.
• I was to have helped with the performance, but I got flu the day before.
• There was to have been a ban on smoking in restaurants, but restaurant owners have forced the council to reconsider.
When we use was/were to + infinitive we are talking about something that did actually happen. When we use was/were to have + past participle we are talking about something that had been arranged, but did not happen