Famous people at heritage railways

I think this Covid threat and associated lockdowns are, understandably, stressing folk out. We've all got to get through it together so how about a little tolerance ?

 

We also saw Chesney Hawks at the MHR when the BBC filmed an episode of kids show Going Live at Ropley.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

 

I think they have both admitted to having serious drinking problems. Knowing some people with drink issues it does seriously f-up your personality.

I once met Geoffrey from Rainbow at the WSR.

I've seen Rolf Harris and Michael Gove at stations.

 

I was asked to stand behind Don Estelle in the cab doorway of Met 1. He was promoting a new record he'd recorded.

This was post "Ain't 'alf 'ot mum", but he was in full costume of that show. Someone obviously thought it would be funny to have a picture of a very tall fireman looming over "Lofty".

 

There have been numerous film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway, some of which have led to follow up events and promotional visits. If you count 'royals' there have been visits. Openings and the like have included Bradley Wiggins, Avril Rowlands, Charlie Dimmock and Lucinda Lambton. I recall visitors include Pete Waterman, Robert Plant and Noel Edmunds.

Patrick

 

Favourite story I know of a famous face at a railway was a certain US movie star was staying a hotel in Bedfordshire whilst on a project, and had his young son with him. He asked at front desk what there was to do that he and his son would enjoy and they suggest the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway. So off they went and had a lovely steam hauled trip on the line. The star's name? John Travolta.

 

Mr Plant lives in Shatterford just outside Arley I’ve seen him watching Kidderminster a few times. Before COVID he was also a regular in several of the pubs in the area.

 

Yes, I met him a few times when I lived in the West Midlands. Maybe a myth but I believe Led Zep owned a farm in the area, as my mum, allegedly, used to buy bread from them.

 

I saw Annabel Croft once whilst having a trip on the Dartmouth Steam railway. She was filming an episode of Treasure Hunt and walked through the train.

Dave B

 

We had that J***y S*****e at the GCR many moons ago (late 80s or early 90s). Fortunately for me when I saw him he was inside the train, which was moving, and I was outside it. It just shows you should be careful who you suck up to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

He lived at Jennings Farm at Blakeshall in the 1970s. The band recorded an early version of Bron-Y-Aur Stomp under the title of Jennings Farm Blues.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bron-Y-Aur_Stomp

 

My friend met boysy at a steam show from only fools and horses

 

I remember my late Father saying he had quite a chat with him at Embsay a long while ago - before any of the subsequent details of his activities came to light.....
Didn't he used to volunteer there or have some family connection with that line?

 

Alan Titchmarsh is a frequent visitor to the Mid Hants.

 

Famous?
Well, I'll go shut the outhouse door!
Pat

 

I can remember the Rev. Awdry visiting the Mid hants. He was in a wheelchair by then, sadly. But in the context of heritage railways he is probably the famousest.
Pat

 

I'll leave it be but I see that the moderators have seen fit to moderate my description of J***y S*****e... twice, by the look of things. Just for the record my original text was considerably less restrained.

 

A few years ago I had to wait while staff "queue jumped" him through security at Glasgow airport.

 

Looks like they need to look at the fitness regime for the stormtroopers a bit… I'm not sure all of those would fit in a real suit.

Simon