Kidderminster engineman returns to footplate at SVR
FORMER Kidderminster engineman Tony Barfield returned to the footplate at the Severn Valley Railway on September 3/4.
He joined BR's Western Region as a cleaner at Kidderminster shed in 1952, later progressing to fireman and driver, working over what is now the SVR as well as the Cleobury Mortimer & Ditton Priors Light Railway. He also joined the SVR in its early preservation days in the late 1960s, and spent two days cleaning Collett 0-6-0 No. 3205 in preparation for the reopening trains in 1970.
Now living in Cornwall, he was a guest on the footplate of Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 No. 43106 during his visit.
The crew were driver Paul Fathers and fireman Will Pedersen, both of Kidderminster, and so completing three generations of railwaymen from the town.
Tony said: “It was absolutely wonderful. You never forget what it's like. Just like riding a bike, it all came back to me immediately, the moment I stepped onto the footplate.
“Will asked if I wanted to put a few shovelfuls of coal into the firebox, and I said yes please. From then on, I did most of the firing! Will told me where the speed restrictions currently are, and I fired accordingly. I could remember where the gradients are, because I worked up and down this line so much in the 1950s.
“Seeing Hinton Manor on display at The Engine House was a particular highlight, as I worked on the footplate of this particular loco in the 1950s.”
The following day, Tony joined Will again on GWR 57XX 0-6-0PT No. 7714, this time with driver David Milford at the regulator.