CELEBRATIONS Final stop for train driver Jeff
A RAILWAY man who has spent 65 years driving steam locomotives has finally hung up his train driver’s hat at the age of 80.
Jeff Madge, who lives in Caerphilly, began his career at just 15, working as an engine cleaner at British Railways’ Canton depot in August 1952.
A year later he moved to Old Oak Common in London where he passed out as a fireman or stoker for the steam trains.
Returning to Cardiff, he became a “passed fireman” and was eventually put forward to drive.
“As a passed fireman I enjoyed plenty of opportunities to drive locomotives and did an awful lot of work on freight traffic,” Jeff said.
“Unfortunately, although I was due to be passed as a driver, the end of steam came about too soon.”
Many steam men left the industry in 1965 when steam locomotion began to be phased out. But Jeff decided to stay, rising in the ranks to become a second man and eventually a relief driver.
From 1983, Jeff worked as a diesel train driver, but jumped at the chance to return to his first love of steam locomotion on the heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway in 1992.
“Railways – and especially steam – gets into your blood,” Jeff said.
“It was a tiny operation with big ambitions then and I have seen it grow and have enjoyed encouraging youngsters as they start their voluntary footplate careers on the railway.
“They are the people who will keep the dream of steam alive for future generations to enjoy.”
Although he retired in 2001, Jeff has continued voluntarily driving on the railway line, which runs from Cheltenham to Buckland, until October 2017.
“It’s getting a little bit too tiring for me now,” Jeff said. “I got to 80 and I thought I would call it a day with the driving.
“I will still work there though, and if they want a bit of engine cleaning done I’ll go back to that.
“There’s always work they need done with the heritage railway.”
He added: “I keep saying I won’t miss it but now when I go up there I’m sure I will see the steam train and want a ride.”