AN octogenarian visited the Robey Trust in Tavistock to see the original engine he drove in the 1960s.

John Fox was one of the original drivers of Robey Tri Tandem 45655 when it was based at Wirksworth Quarries Limited — and he visited Tavistock on March 30 to see his beloved engine.

This Tri Tandem was retired from commercial use in about 1965. Since then it has been in preservation with various owners before being finally purchased in 1993 by the Tri Tandem Partnership who still own and maintain it in Tavistock.

Now in his 80s John visited the Robey Trust, with his son Martin, and he witnessed his engine gently steaming in the yard, for the first time in more than 50 years. Pictures by James Bird.