The Bluebell Railway in Sussex has congratulated its newest driver, as 21-year-old Ben Gray became the youngest person to qualify to drive steam locomotives in the heritage railway's sixty-four-year history.
Ben is the son of the Bluebell Railway's Locomotive Engineering Director, Tim Gray. He first drove a steam locomotive at the Evesham Vale Light Railway when he was just five years old (at the end of a day, when the railway was closed), and started working at the Railway when he was nine years old.
He was part of part of ‘The 9F Club', Bluebell's club for nine-to-fifteen-year-olds, and gained the necessary badges to enable him to join the locomotive department as a cleaner at sixteen. He then passed out as fireman in late 2020.
Ben worked on various turns on different locomotive types at the Bluebell, as well as on engines visiting for galas such as Cheltenham, Clan Line and Flying Scotsman.
Ben joined Bluebell Railway's driver training programme in early 2023. Assessors examined his work over several days, observing various aspects of locomotive working and practical handling, and testing footplate knowledge.
In October, Ben took an exam on shunting duties and smaller locomotives handling, carried out on SECR No. 65 (O1). His final exam was on 30 December, his twenty-first birthday. He worked a larger locomotive, 6989 ‘Wightwick Hall', on a regular Bluebell Railway passenger service along the full length of the line.
Having successfully completed this, Ben was officially passed out by Bluebell Railway Inspector Chris Suitters at Sheffield Park.
The Bluebell Railway hails Ben's qualification as a driver as an illustration of its “vision and drive to encourage more young volunteers. The Railway counts itself “extremely lucky” to have a range of younger volunteers who are keen to keep steam alive.
Congratulations on your achievement, hopefully you can lead by example going forward for others to join you.
This is a remarkable young man. Instead of doing the horrible things that a lot of young people get upto these days. He’s making a dramatic change into the right direction. He’s a role model for the younger people.
I feel rather envious as I think I have only been on a foot plate about 3 times. Only once when the little 0-6-0 was moving.
Fantastic! Well done! Let’s hope others follow in your footsteps.
Absolutely are congrats due. I hope he encourages other young people to follow him.
This is the only way to keep these wonderful memories and locomotives alive well done to all at the Bluebell .
That is marvellous! Encouraging younger folk into heritage railway work is vital for its future. My local line East Lancashire Railway is similarly trying to get a younger generation working with them. Well done Ben and Bluebell!
Congrats due…he is the future!