Pensioner David’s honoured for engine rebuild
A pensioner who has painstakingly built a steam locomotive from scratch has received County Durham’s highest honour.
David Young devoted more than 6,000 hours to recreating the working replica of a 19th century narrow gauge engine based on a single surviving photograph of the original locomotive, known as Samson.
The engine is now on display at Beamish open air museum, where it was built over a period of three years by 80-year-old David, from Fatfield, in Washington.
Building Samson was part of David’s contribution to society after recovering from a blood disease which required a liver transplant in 2001.
Now the chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Bill Kellett, has recognised David’s dedication to preserving the past by awarding him the Chairman’s Medal.
He has also honoured the thousands of people past and present who have given up their spare time to volunteer at Beamish since its launch in 1970s with a separate award.
Coun Kellett said: “David’s reconstruction of an 1874 steam locomotive is a marvel of engineering expertise, especially given that he drew up his own plans and only had one original photograph from which to work.
“A fantastic achievement indeed – it would be very difficult in this day and age to find anyone else with his ability and technical expertise.
“The museum’s volunteers have built Beamish up into the amazing, world renowned attraction it has now become.”