15Feb2011 Frank Santrian, bill Andrews & whasname & Gary at brief encounter Carnforth

On a brief visit to Carnforth today, I met Gary and three blokes outside the Brief Encounter Visitor Centre, two went inside but one stayed to chat with Gary and myself, there were many drivers of a younger generation on platform 2 waiting for a train, turned out they had just been to a Safety Briefing at WCR, the old guy shouted across to them, "your the modern, we're the ancient", we chatted and got on to buses, he has a guy arab based at stoke on trent, he told about one time on a heritage run for donations, when he took nearly a full bus on a round trip of many miles, and found £2.75 in the donation box, he laughed, shame I thought. after which, we were back on all things steam, I said there are a couple of famous steam drivers who have retired more than once, couldn't remember bills name so I said well there's Frank Santriani... he said 'thats me'.... I was gobsmacked, at that moment Bill Andrews came out to join him with the other driver, so I asked if they'd mind if I videoed them, they said OK so here it is, their train came and cut it short but , yea, made my day. PS someone might remind me of the other drivers name so I can correct it.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• steam
• locomotive
• drivers
• carnforth

[stuvids]

Excellent! Good to see friends and work mates again! I don't know the chap with the white beard's name (and I don't mean father xmas!!). But I have known Frank and Bill for years. And obviously we all know Gary!!

[noelist]

@stuvids went to Carnforth over the bridge to see if Tang was still outside the workshop, then in the back way and spotted Gary, then ended up chatting to Frank for about twenty minutes with Gary, was odd as I mentioned his name and he said that's me. he seemed a really nice bloke. the heysham flasks never ran today, at least not between 1.30 and 3pm by the by, and our friend says they found a few faults with Tang and it will be doing another test run. catch you later.

[981smithy]

Very nice Leon I presume thats the infamous driver Bill Andrews?

[noelist]

@981smithy Oh yea, he's the one with the hat, the one who looked the camera in the eye is Frank, can't remember the other ones name, sure someone will recognise him though, really made my dull day, especially after talking steam and buses to frank before I knew who he was, did recognise bill after prompting.cheers.

[duchessess1]

brian wizzer williams 

[BoogieBiker]

Nice to see they're still around.

The third man (So to speak!) with the beard is Brian (Wizza) Williams.

Sad to reflect that such good railwaymen were once at a cumby depot like Crewe!!

[rab4472]

Nice one Leon. I bet Frank & Bill could talk for hours about life on the footplate.

MIke

[acw71000]

What a great catch Leon, you were obviously in the right place at the right time