Originally Posted by aztruck
always wanted to be a train driver, but the trains i wanted to drive are no more....fossil burning steam things from my childhood..boo. on the other hand the equivalent in this day and age is ...wait for it...airline pilot. Being a mainline steam driver in the 50's was a seriously respected Profession, much te same as an airline captain is today, indeed, it was also very much a 2 crew operation with the fireman(aka f/o) just as responsible for good performance as the boss. Still, I managed a footplate ride on the way to work the other day on the Gatwick express, very interesting but all he "bings" and "bongs" would drive me potty after a while......nice view though.
A friend of mine retired from the board of BA to spend his retirement helping run (and drive!) the watercress line in Hampshire - a lovely old Steam Railway run entirely by volunteers.
Something to do when the age limit bites!
G