Ok first off an admission, I didn't take this photograph, in fact I have no idea who did but it must have been someone in my family. The other reason I know I didn't take it, cause that's me in it, waving at the train. I'm guess I was maybe 4 years old at best.
Anyway, a question for you. Have you ever have a childhood dream and better yet one that you fulfilled? I did, I was lucky or maybe it was perseverance! This photograph was taken in my grandmothers back garden in Great Bentley. This was the spot and the age when I made a decision, one that affected my life for a long time and that was I wanted to drive trains when I grew up. So after a few knock backs and lots of perseverance I got my wish and became a train driver. In fact 16 years after this photo was taken I was driving those types of train on the same line as you see in the photo here. The relevance of this photo is that today is a special date for me. Today would have been my 22nd anniversary year in the footplate line of promotion on the railway. 16th November 1987 was my seniority date. Yep that would have been over 20 years driving trains and I'm not even 40 yet. Here's the irony to the 16th November. It's also my 9th anniversary date for working here at the County of Riverside. So I guess I'd better buy a lottery ticket today too.