Tornado encounter leads to multiple railway roles
A CHANCE encounter almost a decade ago with Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 Tornado has led mother-of-four Joanne Crompton to becoming a volunteer fireman on the East Lancashire and Llangollen railways and treasurer of the Bury Standard 4 Group.
And next month she is set to add another string to her bow – by becoming treasurer of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
Joanne, who is a member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and works in an accountancy practice in her home town of Darwen, Lancashire, told Heritage Railway of the day she was bitten by the railway bug.
“On September 20, 2011, I had a chance encounter with Tornado at Leyland station, and I followed it to Preston where it stopped for water,” she said. “I had never seen a full-size steam engine before and watched the whole scene in absolute amazement. At the moment I saw the fireman ‘putting a round on', I decided I wanted to become a steam locomotive fireman.”
The following year, Joanne joined the Ribble Steam Railway as a cleaner, and also visited the East Lancashire Railway, where she was invited onto the footplate of one of the engines.
“The fireman planted the idea of me joining the steam department, but I didn't really follow it up until I visited again early in 2013,” she said. “It was bitterly cold and snowing, and Nos. 44871 and 45407 were running, and I was offered a footplate ride and given a go on the shovel. That was it – I was hooked.”
Firing
Within weeks, Joanne had joined as a cleaner, made the grade as the railway's first female passed cleaner in 2015, and by the end of 2017 was made up to fireman.“I have been very fortunate to have fired many different locomotives, from little Peckett saddletank May to Duchess of Sutherland and Flying Scotsman,”she said.
Joanne, who is 44 and married to Mark, a joiner at the East Lancashire Railway and also a volunteer fireman there, visited the Llangollen Railway in 2018, which she joined shortly after as a cleaner after falling in love with the railway and its beautiful scenery. By August the following year, she became a passed cleaner there too, and 12 months later a fireman.
By then, she had another role within the railway preservation movement, as treasurer to the Bury Standard 4 Group.
“In June 2019, No. 80097 had just become operational after a 35-year overhaul and they were looking for a treasurer,” recalled Joanne.
“I had fired the locomotive on some of its test runs and I felt kinship and wanted to help out, using my finance skills and passion for steam to support the volunteers in maintaining No. 80097 and the restoration of BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No. 46428.”
Despite her active and busy life, Joanne is now relishing the prospect of becoming treasurer of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
“During my time at the East Lancashire Railway I became involved with the support crew of No. 45690 Leander, based at Carnforth. On one trip I was lucky enough to be on the footplate travelling northbound on the Settle and Carlisle line.
“I was blown away and later became a member of the Friends. The line is important to its surrounding townships and businesses. Its heritage must be preserved, so when I saw the role of treasurer come up, I had to apply – I had to be part of it.”
Involvement
The Friends’current treasurer, John Ingham, is retiring at the organisation’s annual general meeting on May 22, and Joanne, who has been co-opted onto the committee, is already assisting him.
“I am passionate about railways and the heritage that surrounds them,” explained Joanne.
“My journey through the railway world and firing links has not been easy, but my drive, positivity and determination have got me over a lot of hurdles, with the right support. I am also passionate about getting young people involved, teaching them skills, enabling them to progress, and ensuring the survivability of the heritage skills. I am also keen to show young girls and women that they can do anything they set their mind to – anything can be overcome. The future of railways depends on equal inclusivity for all.”