On Sunday 9th
December 2012 GWSR steam locomotive crew member Tom Couling completed his last
official turn of duty as fireman on 8F locomotive 45160 after approx 28 years
of service on the footplate. Tom joined
the GWSR in the very early years and at first was an active member of the Permanent
Way Department helping to lay the first track work at Toddington, in preparation
for the railway running its first passenger trains.
Tom soon became involved in the steam
locomotive department and is one of the few original members to begin training
to crew the locomotives ready for the first public services. Like many other members of the department Tom
has worked on the rebuilds of locomotives Peckett 1976, 15” Hunslet “King
George” and the overhaul of 16” Hunslet “Robert Nelson No 4”. He has also been involved in the building of
the first locomotive inspection pit and erection of the original water tower at
Toddington. All in all Tom is a pioneer
of the railway's Steam Locomotive department and hopefully will continue to be
active within the dept for many years to come, indeed, he is currently working
on the restoration of the NRM’s 4F locomotive regularly attending on the
Wednesday work days.
In addition
to the GWSR Tom is involved in “Classic Bus” Restoration and is a member of the
Gloucester Model Railway Club, having built countless models over the
years.
As a thank
you for his many years of footplate service, the department presented him with
an inscribed book on the subject of model railways and some of his fellow
department members and friends joined him at Winchcombe station in a
celebratory drink (Apple Juice – as he was still on duty at the time) and a
sticky doughnut.
 |
| Tom Couling & Andy Meredith |
 |
| Tom Couling |
Thank you
once again Tom, you will always be welcome on the footplate.
Andrew
Meredith
No comments:
Post a Comment