A MARY Tavy man called Thomas with a love of steam engines has been sharing the excitement that could await others who want to volunteer with Dartmoor Railway. Thomas Hussey, 22, has combined cleaning with learning how to fire Darfield No 1 ? the one-time colliery shunter now being used to push and pull passenger carriages to and from Meldon. Tom, pictured above, said: ?There is a lot more to lighting up the boiler than most people imagine. ?I have already learned that different engines require different ways of placing the coal. ?Some have to have the fuel placed at the sides, or the back or the front, all depending on how the fire is burning, and the needs of the driver on inclines, and the type of engine being driven.? Eventually, Tom hopes to succeed as a ?passed fireman? which may lead to the opportunity to learn to drive. ?Even as a fireman, you have to understand the workings of not only the dials and levers in the cab, but also the mechanics of the steam engine itself,? he said. ?Keeping the fire at a proper heat and watching the injectors as far as water is concerned make this a fascinating job.? Dartmoor Railway in Okehampton is still looking for volunteer fireman.
