I have always loved steam trains.

I was 3 years old when I saw my first steam locomotive and as the years passed my interest in steam increased to the point where I became a regular ‘train spotter’.

It was during primary school days that I discovered drawing and my mother, realizing that I had a flair for it, encouraged me in my endeavours. The subject of my drawings were usually the trains I had seen and travelled on.

My one burning ambition was to become an engine driver.

I began a career in the South Australian Railways in 1958 employed at the Adelaide Railway Station Roster Room as a Callboy. The Callboy’s purpose was to notify, via pushbike, off-duty engine men to fill in for a regular rostered employee who was unable to work a shift. Unfortunately the appearance of the Callboy met with indifference so I was very happy when I was old enough to ‘get amongst the engines’ at the Mile End roundhouse as a cleaner. It was a good way for me to familiarize myself with the ‘residents’. This was the period that I became initiated in all the grime, grease, coal dust and smell of steam operations.

On becoming a Fireman I spent months working on shunting locomotives at various locations around Adelaide. I began to experience the kindred relationship loco men had for one another and gratefully accepted the offer of a drive whenever the opportunity presented itself. As I gained experience I was rostered to mainline working much of the time on diesel powered trains although I did at times manage to work with the big steam locos notably the 700 classes as well as the 520 and 620-classes on passenger trains.

I never became an Engine Driver after all. The five years I spent working in the railways, together with my earlier childhood memories left an indelible impression on me and has led me in later years to return once again, pencil in hand, to recapture the glory days of steam.