Steam train makes special stop for rail volunteer

A heritage steam train has made a special stop to thank a volunteer who has been working on the railway for 16 years.

Michael Dunn, from Northallerton, has been in hospital for five weeks as he underwent chemotherapy for cancer of the oesophagus.

Mr Dunn said he felt emotional when he found out the Railway Touring Company's locomotive would be making the unscheduled stop at Northallerton Station.

He said: "This has kept me going for the last few weeks because it's very special. No steam engine would ever be able to stop there normally. It's quite emotional, to say the least."

The Railway Touring Company offers trips around the UK on five locomotives called The Great Britain.

The service stopped in Northallerton at about 10:40 BST on Saturday.

Mr Dunn said it was especially exciting because the locomotive making the journey was a Tornado, an A1 class that was built in Darlington.

"It's on its last part going back down to London via Norwich," he said.

"The total mileage will be just over 2,000 miles, with 200 passengers.

"It is unique. It's a five-minute stop and everybody can wave their whistles from the train."

Mr Dunn said his passion for trains began as a young boy, and having been born and bred in Northallerton, he was excited to see the service stop in his home town.

"It's a passion that comes from childhood, but people don't realise how passionate people across the country are, not just rail enthusiasts.

"The Great Britain started 17 years ago.

"It normally starts in London at Victoria or King's Cross and from there it goes to various points within our Great Britain."

Mr Dunn's niece, Laura McManners, said the nurses at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where Mr Dunn was treated, had made special arrangements to allow him to get to Northallerton on Saturday morning.

She said Mr Dunn had waved to all the passengers from the platform and been able to say thank you to train staff.

The service began at London Victoria on 26 April before making its way to Inverness.

The Northallerton stop was made on the train's journey back to London, where it will terminate on Monday.

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