I was one of a very small group of friends of Adrian and Barbara who had the pleasure of helping him run the Beeches Light Railway. There are so many stories I could tell, but I'll keep this as short and to the point as possible.

It was a total coincidence - and immense stroke of luck - for me that I lived around the corner when Adrian built his railway. I'd got a fair bit of narrow-gauge experience and so offered my help as his fireman (and now, many years later, the Passed Fireman - because there could only ever be the one Driver!). We were joined by a good number of his Chiltern friends and colleagues, all of who were amazed at the time that I felt able to answer "the boss" back - but I did and it seemed to do no harm.

To say we had a blast hardly seems to do it justice. Every year we'd get everything ready, then run a few weekends, take the engine on holiday, and run some more. Just letting 19B stretch her legs at home was a delight, but having visiting engines was great fun, and the "holidays" were just brilliant. This little gang went to Wales, Cornwall, Leighton Buzzard, Cumbria, France, the Midlands being treated like celebrities just because of this wonderful, very special, blue engine we played with. I'm very proud, and happy, that Adrian got so much fun out of sharing all this.

I use the word "play" a lot, but Adrian was always adamant that we had to do the job like professionals, and his standards were very high indeed. The BLR is a very steep line, with significant risks for the careless, and I have no doubt that this insistence ensured we kept everyone safe.

It was very sad that on this year's "holiday", at Statfold, that Adrian was unable to drive her - but he had a wonderful time riding in the Parlor Car while all the enthusiasts drooled with excitement at our locomotive. It was a fitting last visit for him.

Adrian was the epitome of professionalism, dry humour, exceptional generosity, and sound engineering sense. I fear we will never meet his like again.