MEMORIES were shared and tales told with a former railwayman at Launceston Steam Railway.

Roy Richards, 91, paid a visit to the station last week, where he shared his experiences as a guard on the former North Cornwall line.

Mr Richards started his career at Lostwithiel Station, as a lad porter, and went on to become a relief guard based in Plymouth. In this position he worked on many of the local lines, but remembered the Launceston line with particular affection.

Director of Launceston Steam Railway Jonathan Mann said it was a ‘great pleasure’ to welcome Mr Richards.

He said: “The Launceston Steam Railway is always pleased to welcome former railwaymen when they visit, and to hear their tales of the days of steam.

Such individuals are of course becoming fewer, so the opportunity to hear of the days of the Great Western or Southern Railways first hand are increasingly treasured.”

Accompanied by members of his family, Mr Richards rode over part of the route he once worked, for the first time since British Railways closed the line.

The loss of steam, he said, hit him hard, and the railway was never quite the same again, but travelling behind 1883-built ‘Lilian’ with the familiar smells of a steam locomotive brought back many memories.

Following his trip, he relived old times by giving the ‘right away’ to the 3pm train.

Mr Mann added: “It is always a privilege to meet former railwaymen and to listen to their stories. Clearly they did a job they loved and took pride in, and there was a real sense of community and common purpose amongst the workforce.

“The work was hard and often dirty, but it was at the same time rewarding, and it is wonderful to hear them say so often that, if they had their time over again, they would do the same. What more could anyone ask of their job?”