Oldest Steam Locomotive Driver?

Hello,

I'm wondering who (or where) is the oldest locomotive driver?

Any Ideas?

Regards,
Ian.

 

There was a chap who was involved with Santa Fe 4-8-4 3751 in California, who hired to the Santa Fe (as they say) originally in the late 1930's before the start of the War (for us not them) and who was still allowed to run the locomotive as main line speeds on BNSF in the mid 2000's. Not sure if he still is, or even is still with us.

He apears in one of the photographs on their homepage http://www.sbrhs.org/ Hope I look so good in what must be atleast his mid 80s

 

In the UK dont mainline drivers have to step down at age 70? I suspect on heritage lines it is down to their individual policies, and maybe insurance requirements for doing "safety critical" jobs. Age 75 comes to mind but it may vary with different railways.

 

I was thinking of the oldest driver, still driving. It will possibly be on a heritage, or preserved line. As you say, most mainline drivers retire at around 65, don't they?

Regards,
Ian

 

Bill Andrew who drives for West Coast is 75 this year (or maybe already at that milestone?) and he's taken two stanier pacifics over Shap this year already! Mainline drivers can continue past 65 subject to passing an annual medical. This is just as well as you won't find many below that age and we wouln't have much mainline steam as a result. Frank Santrian (Bill's footplate mate and number 2 of the 'saga link') retired at 75 in December but hadn't driven for a few years. He did however fire for Bill for 'Sutherland's heavy weight record breaking performance on Shap last October. If i'm as fit as either of them at 75 I will be extremely happy!

 

Albert Fennel on the GCR is 78, started on the railway working for the LNER in 1947, and worked as a fireman for BR on the GCR Mainline until closure, and now a driver on a line he used to work over. Again able to drive, subject to an annual medical.

 

Just wondering who is the YOUNGEST mainline driver?

 

The chap with the cap on "in reverse" who took the regulator on "Tornado" on the ECML when Clarkson was on the footplate didn't look that old.

 

I'm not going to say my exact age last year when I drove and fired in Poland, but put it this way, I couldn't even apply for a provisional driving licence...

 

My husband use to work at woodford halse on the g.c.r. many years ago with albert fennel he a fine chap. now do any of you chap know which is the oldest steam loco still working on main line ?

all the best
jane

 

That's Stevie Hanszar. Apologies if I've managed to spell his surname wrong - no doubt someone will correct me Not sure exactly how old he is but certainly the youngest of the DBS team who look after Tornado on the main line. A really nice guy carrying on the tradition of main line steam into the next generation - we need more like him!

Alexa

 

Currently I believe it is Maunsell King Arthur "Sir Lamiel", which has just had it's 85th birthday (built June 1925).

Tom