Потомки первого машиниста Great Western Railway посетили центр Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot Railway Centre enjoyed a visit from descendants of Jim Hurst - the first engine driver on the Great Western Railway. Twenty-seven family members arrived at the steam rail centre from different parts of the world to see the Fire Fly locomotive - a replica of the 1840 design, which Mr Hurst would have driven early in his career. Four family members gathered on the footplate of the Fire Fly - Jim Hurst – a great, great, great grandson – and four great, great, great, great grandchildren – Dominique, Francine, Michelle and Chris. All 27 family members who visited the steam rail heritage centre earlier this month were pictured in front of the Pendennis Castle locomotive by Frank Dumbleton, a volunteer at the centre who is also a photographer. Jim Hurst was born in 1811 near Manchester and aged 14 he assisted his father and George Stephenson in surveying the route for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. When that railway opened in 1830 he became an engine driver for the company, until offered a job by Daniel Gooch, who in 1837 had just been appointed locomotive superintendent for the Great Western Railway. Jim Hurst died in 1892. Thousands of steam rail enthusiasts visit the rail centre next to Didcot Parkway train station every year to enjoy rides on the steam trains. Other attractions include a centre museum, an engine shed, a shop and cafe.