Night watch: Malcolm Temple, Chairman of GWSR Plc at Toddington station one chilly night during the winter break, in February 2010 (Photograph by Ian Crowder)  


Malcolm Temple’s favourite class of locomotive is the Hall: Here, the Modified version of the class approaches Winchcombe with a Toddington-bound train (Photograph by Ian Crowder)  

So who better to start the series off than our Chairman? Here's your introduction with Malcolm Temple, the man at the railway's helm.

Malcolm, who lives at Stretton on Fosse near Moreton in Marsh in Gloucestershire, has become an increasingly familiar figure on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway over the past few months, and at a very senior position. But where did he come from? How did he become involved? Where did his interest in railways start? Here are a few clues.

My business card says: … that I am Chairman of Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc

I first got interested in railways because: As a youngster in Cardiff, our garden ran down to the busy Cardiff/Swansea line with an endless succession of trains passing by. Cardiff Canton sheds were nearby, too - so I was quickly 'hooked'!

...and when: In 1952

A typical run-down of what I do for the railway is: Chair the Plc Board, act as Financial Director - and listen to endless moans! It seems to becoming an almost 24-hour job but it's tremendously exciting.

I was prompted to get involved with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway by what or who - and for how long: A friend who said I should see what had been achieved. So I did and was impressed: five years ago I became a shareholder as the railway was clearly going somewhere and I have been a member for two years.

The thing I like most about our railway is: Seeing our living museum do its job and people enjoying their visit.

And the thing I like least: The negative criticism by some volunteers. Talk to me!

I think the greatest achievement of our railway is: Its 25-year-plus year journey of success and achievement is extraordinary and that pioneering spirit is still alive and well.

My 'real job' is (or was): I was a management consultant so may be that qualifies me quite well for the voluntary job I'm doing for the railway now.

I always read: The Daily Telegraph

The headline I would most like to see in the newspapers about our railway is: First train arrives at Broadway in over half a century!

My favourite railway company is: The Great Western Railway

…because: Are you joking?

My favourite locomotive class is: The Great Western Hall class.

…because: It is elegance and power so beautifully combined

If I was lucky enough, I would invest a 1 million windfall on: Buying Sun Records in Memphis Tennessee!

If I wasn't involved with the Honeybourne Line I would probably: Drive my wife mad!

My greatest achievement is: Persuading Wendy to marry me…

My biggest regret is: I didn't stay in Memphis in the 1960s when I was working there in the music industry. What an amazing time that was!

In 10 years time I think the railway: Will be laying track north of Broadway and talking about when we will have our main line connection at Honeybourne Junction. What potential for our railway that will bring!

No-one knows this about me, but: I aint as confident as I sometimes seem!

But Malcolm is certainly confident about our railway and everything it has achieved and will achieve in the future. He is also keen to meet as many volunteers as possible and learn about their hopes and concerns. As he says in the interview, he would like people to talk to him!