We like our heritage railways; Spa Valley, Bluebell, Lavender, Kent & East Sussex, North Yorkshire Moors, the list is long. We like even more steam engines, the smell, hissing steam and the roar from the chimney when moving at speed.
Many of my generation wanted to be engine drivers when we grew up. The phase soon passed.
Most railwaymen were pleased to see the demise of steam. A steam locomotive is a dirty beast. Ash has to emptied from the smokebox and ashpan, clinker removed from the firebox, coal loaded into the tender, water taken on board and parts of the motion, through which power is transmitted from the pistons to the wheels, oiled. The steam locomotive is a greedy animal, tons of coal have to be shovelled into the firebox and water injected to the boiler. The cab for the driver and fireman only offers partial protection from the weather.
Just think, a diesel or electric locomotive only has to be switched on and the driver has a warm cab in which he is fully protected from the elements.
KENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: acerbic, carping, caustic, curmudgeonly,critical, cynical, grumpy, moaning, sardonic and plain speaking.
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