Railway enthusiasts are marking the 50th anniversary of the end of regular mainline steam services.
Events are being held at heritage railways across the country to provide an insight into steam on British Rail up until 1968.
Enthusiasts have ensured steam trains continue to operate in Britain despite the decision for regular passenger services to use only diesel or electric power.
“It was an immensely sad occasion for a lot of people back then. A good number of railways are marking the anniversary.”
The “end of steam” is said to have occurred on various dates in August 1968.
On August 11 a train known as the Fifteen Guinea Special, due to the expensive tickets, ran from Liverpool via Manchester to Carlisle and back.
It was the last mainline steam passenger train.
Mr Oates said: “An anniversary such as this is worth marking.
“It’s keeping a bit of our history alive.
“People close to steam think it’s the closest a machine comes to being a living creature. It’s the evocative smell, the rhythm and the sight – a majestic steam engine bursting up an incline.
“There’s something about the power and might that captures the imagination.”
