All aboard for the new age of steam
 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle6028896.ece

:D

There is one over-riding thought about this nostalgia - how long can it be sustained? There are so few new engineers coming through the ranks that will have the knowledge of steam and how it works. Obviously Tornado has provided a vital spark and the Patriot new-build will lift that even higher, but new knowledge must be sustained and critical skills passed on for future generations to prevent the days of steam passing altogether!

There are now quite a few young people involved in learning the skills necessary to continue the traditions of steam engineering. Ian Riley has a number of apprentices and same is true elsewhere.

I think the future is in good hands.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

I should get out of Essex more often and see how the rest are getting on!
I prefer p'way myself and dont mind much what runs on it - so long as it is being used!! All the best.

That was a pretty good and well researched article in the Times, well done