The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pair fired up for rail gala
TWO FIFE experts on the golden age of steam trains will be in the thick of the action at Bo’Ness and Kinneil railway this weekend.
Brothers Tom and Billy Willison from Tayport are qualified drivers and inspectors at the line, and they will be on the footplate during one of the railway’s big annual fundraisers.
Tom said hundreds of visitors will be attending the gala weekend tomorrow and Sunday, and he and Billy would both be driving the steam locomotive Morayshire.
“Our dad worked as a guard with British Rail, based in Dundee, and we were interested even as schoolboys.
“I remember being invited on to the footplate of a B1 at Newport-on-Tay East around 1966, while it shunted coal wagons for the local coal merchants.
“Our hands-on experience started about 16 years ago, when I was given a driving experience as a 40th birthday present. Afterwards, we both decided to learn the skills properly and we have now become heavily involved.
“Apart from driving on the private railway many times during the year, we act as support crew on main line trips.
“You have to experience the heat and the atmosphere to fully understand the challenge of what must have been a dirty and difficult job for the crews. There’s a tremendous sense of achievement in conquering the skills.”
Tom added: “The gala will just be like travelling back to the ’60s and visitors will be able to see lots of trains in action, including a variety of steam and diesel locomotives.
“Morayshire has recently been painted in BR black and locals who remember steam can see it as it looked in the ’50s and ’60s as it operated through Dundee, Cupar, and Dunfermline .
“Another touch of nostalgia for visitors from Fife comes with the chance to see the old Wormit station building, which is now at Bo’Ness.
“People don’t have to book trips in advance, they can just turn up. In addition the Museum of Scottish Railways will be open both days,” said Tom.
See www.bkrailway.co.uk for further information.