Driver Roy Shelley
These few words have been kindly provided for us by Dave Shelley whose father
Roy drove 80072 so many times that he regarded 80072 as "his" engine.
-One of her driver's-
This is an insight to one
of the drivers of steam engine 80072. His name Roy Shelley who started working
on the railway in 1937.
When he first began it
was as a cleaner then to fireman and finally a driver. In those year's he had
three moves to different depots, the first was Cricklewood second Upminster,
third Tilbury riverside. His third move was in 1956 and in 1957 he became a
driver. There were two needed on the footplate of 80072 - Roy's fireman was
Gordon Claydon.
On 6 April 1959 there was a accident when Roy and Gordon both had injuries to
their hands. This was due to a brake failure on 80072 while she was on the
turntable at Shoeburyness with the 6.35 London to Shoeburyness. Also in that
year Roy received a monetary award for his alertness in observing a buckled rail
on the up line near to Ripple Lane.
In 1962 was when steam finely ceased being use for passenger trains on the
Shoebury to Fenchurch line. He then went onto drive the class 302 multiple unit
electric - although he sometimes wished he still had 80072. He remained in the
driver's seat until he retired on 3 April 1982.
In the year's that followed he often spoke of what he called his engine and
wondered if she would ever be back on the rail's under her own steam. When he
heard that she was being restored he new what the answer would be YES.
These are a few lines of one of the driver's of 80072 who worked out of Tilbury
riverside sheds.
ROY SHELLEY 1918--1995