The conversation that got the ball rolling
I have always loved my job and have been lucky to edit seven national magazines, covering historic and contemporary British subjects from the early 19th Century coal railways of the North East, to High Speed 2.
This has granted me the privilege of some amazing experiences. But the greatest privilege of all has been the opportunity to meet, watch at close quarters and even count as friends, the people who actually make things happen.
I was fortunate in 2001 to meet Royal Train Foreman Chris Hillyard, who had worked on those plum-liveried carriages for over 20 years. He had recently taken over the ‘top job.’
Chris had invited me to see the train in its unremarkable, but very secure brick shed within Wolverton Works.
He gave me a tour. I’d been taken aback by its ‘ordinariness.’
We’d retired to Chris’s small office – with its glass cases housing a wonderful collection of historic Royal Train memorabilia. A superb little museum!
“I don’t think you’ve ever had a steam locomotive on these carriages, have you?”
I asked him.
“Definitely not.”
“Do you fancy it?”
“Yes, I do! But it would never happen.”
Chris reckoned that operational issues were secondary; the biggest problem was security.
“How so?” I asked.
“Royal Train movements are very sensitive; it’s strictly ‘need to know’ – and from what I see of the steam grapevine, there’s no way it could be kept quiet. That would spook the security people, who would veto your idea – which I really love, by the way. I reckon the Queen in particular would love it.”
“And what if I introduced you to a locomotive owner who I know would keep his mouth shut?”
“Then I’d very much like to talk to him!” laughed Chris.
That evening, I phoned Brell Ewart, whom I’d known for a decade or so, from my time editing Steam Railway, before moving to RAIL in mid-1995.
“How do you fancy seeing your ‘Duchess’ work the Royal Train?” “What do you think?” Brell fired back. “Like that’s going to happen any time soon!”
Once he realised that I was serious, Brell needed no persuasion; I made the relevant introductions and stepped back – my job was done!
This had been a classic heritage railway project. Someone makes an outlandish suggestion. Just about everyone else – even those who love the idea – firmly believed it impossible.
Then they all go away, get together and against all the odds, they make it happen.
Like I said at the start, it is the people, not merely the events, which really impress.