A tribute to main line steam traction inspector Jim Smith
“Softly spoken and immensely knowledgeable”
From baker to 100mph on an ‘A1’, Quentin Hedderly pays tribute to one of main line steam’s most highly respected footplatemen.
Tributes are being paid across the footplate and main steam line industry to highly respected steam traction inspector Jim Smith, who died on Saturday June 27, after a brief illness, at the age of 75.
Softly spoken and immensely knowledgeable, Jim will perhaps be best remembered for his starring roles on the footplates of LNER ‘Pacifics’ running at high speed in the 21st Century – and for not being afraid to also have a turn on the shovel for such demanding exercises, despite being over the accepted retirement age.
Born in Middlesbrough on January 17 1945, on leaving school Jim worked at Appleton’s Bakery on Teesside. The baking industry’s loss was the railways’ gain when, in 1962, Jim joined British Railways as an engine cleaner at Thornaby (51L). Thus began an association with Thornaby Depot that would last the rest of his life. Thornaby MPD closed to steam in December 1964. Transitioning from steam to diesel, Jim progressed as a driver’s assistant or ‘second man’, then to driver and subsequently to traction inspector.
With restructuring of British Rail in the run-up to privatisation, Thornaby came under Trainload Freight North-East (Loadhaul).
EWS acquired the business in 1996 and Jim was reassessed for Royal Train duties. While Jim took early retirement from his full-time post nearly 20 years ago, he continued to work as a steam traction inspector, also covering guard’s duties for EWS and latterly DB Cargo, right up until the lockdown in March this year, when main line charter operations were suspended.
Jim was a mentor and trainer for many people across the railway industry. His quiet but professional demeanour belied a passion for steam locomotives and a desire to pass on his considerable experience to the next generation.
Many of the charter operations with which Jim was involved, be they steamhauled, the Royal Train or the DB Company Train, were one-offs; there was no dress rehearsal. Jim was an individual who went above and beyond in his meticulous preparation, but was equally adept at thinking on his feet when the unexpected occurred. One such occasion was a Northampton-Newcastle charter on June 26 2004. A fault with the newly installed TPWS on a Class 67 diesel delayed departure from origin by nearly three hours, while a replacement locomotive was scrambled. Jim was the steam inspector on ‘A4’ No. 60009 Union of South Africa, waiting to relieve the diesel at York. To the chagrin of the local structures engineer, Jim arranged with Tyneside box and the relevant control teams to send the charter via Gateshead and the High Level Bridge and to recess the coaching stock in the platform at Newcastle, where it was serviced. Some slick work by the ‘A4’s’ support crew in watering and servicing the locomotive at Tyne Yard was followed by some lively running with a heavy 13-coach train on the return to York. Remarkably, the charter reached Northampton that evening within five minutes of right time.
Jim was involved on a number of occasions when the Royal Train was steam-hauled. These included June 11 2002, when Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by Prince Philip, was hauled by No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland from Bangor to Chester. This was the first occasion for 35 years that the Royal Train had been steam-hauled. Jim also acted as steam inspector on Union of South Africa for the reopening of the Borders Railway to Tweedbank, which conveyed the Queen and Prince Philip on September 9 2015.
Jim conducted assessments on steam footplate crews for other train operators and delivered steam footplate training courses to Irish Rail main line crews. Jim was known for being generous with his time, his advice, his expertise and his patience. For many years, he had organised an annual reunion of main line and retired steam footplate crews.
Jim’s involvement with the A1 Trust’s newly built No. 60163 Tornado was a highlight of his career. He provided a reassuring presence, being involved with just about every significant milestone involving the new locomotive. Jim led the footplate team on the main line trial runs in 2008, followed by its epic King’s Cross-Edinburgh Waverley run for the BBC’s Top Gear, culminating with the engine’s landmark 100mph run in 2018, with many memorable runs in the interim.
His final main line steam duty was a series of trial runs with ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35028 Clan Line on the night of March 10 2020, around the Hounslow loop, following work on the locomotive’s middle big end.
Jim was held in the highest regard by footplate crews, locomotive owners, locomotive engineers and train crew.
He is survived by his wife Carole, his three children Sharon, Sean and Craig, a grandchild and three great-grandchildren.