Having recently enjoyed my birthday, I received an unexpected present from the lady with whom I dance. This lady does not know very much about the railway at all. She was only aware that I used to work at Doncaster on steam locomotives. This prompted her to purchase a book entitled Steam Around Doncaster. She also knew that my father was a driver at the same locomotive depot, and thought that, with a bit of luck, the book may contain a photograph of a steam locomotive with my father on board. I was very pleased to have been given the book as I knew that I would be on familiar ground.
I didn't locate a picture in the book with my father on board but to my amazement, and I must admit great pleasure, I found a photograph with contents which were very familiar to me. In the centre pages of the book there is a picture of ‘Merchant Navy’ 4-6-2 No.35026 . The locomotive is on the down goods line and heading tender-first towards Doncaster station. The driver on board the locomotive is looking to his rear and observing the red stop signal. His name is Johnny Ross. The Southern Region Locomotive Inspector is also on board and stands between the engine and tender, his bowler hat in place. The fireman is on the ground returning to the engine as
