daddy drives the train...

Had the day off yesterday to watch my Daddy be a train driver for the day at the East Somerset Railway.

I’d always said I was going to buy him a steam train driving day for his 60th and since he became a pensioner in August, that’s exactly what I did, although he had to wait until October before he got to go.

We travelled across to Shepton Mallet in Somerset on Tuesday evening to meet up with my Mam and Dad. We’d booked a room at the Burnt House Farm B&B for the night to avoid having a early morning drive.

Dad had to report for duty at 9.00am at the Engine Sheds on Wednesday morning and spent the next 3 hours getting the engine ready. There were 3 trains during the day – 12.00pm, 1.30pm and 3.00pm. Due to legal/insurance/red-tape issues, he wasn’t allowed to drive any of these trains but was on the footplate helping with the fire, signalling and coupling of the train. But between the 1.30pm and 3.00pm train, he got to be driver for me, Dan and my Mam only. I was lucky and allowed to ride on the footplate too with him so could watch him in action as he drove the train.

Dan was feeling left out but he got to ride on the footplate on the last train so he was happy too!


Train Driver Daddy


Happy Daddy


The Train Crew

You can see all the photos from the day here.

L x