When visitors come to the railway they invariably stroll down the platform to look at the engine and, perhaps, request a visit to the footplate.  But some may give a double-take when they realise that the fireman is a slightly built, attractive lady: this is Tina Sutton, currently the railway's only lady fireman.

There's no reason, of course, why women should not qualify for working on the railway's locomotives and, indeed, at least two have counted themselves among steam locomotive footplate staff over the years. 

For Tina, railways have been a passion and one might speculate that Tina's enjoyment of steam must be in her blood.  Her father Ray Matthews was a Western Region driver who had been based at the start of his railway career in Worcester, and then at Horton Road, Gloucester until his retirement.

Recently it became apparent that another member of the steam department, Derek Smith, an ex-British Railways fireman himself, knew Tina's Dad.  In addition, another former colleague and friend of Derek was a fireman called Jim Irwin who regularly used to fire to Tina's Dad Ray.

If that isn't co-incidence enough, on 27^th May 1964 Ray Matthews and Jim Irwin worked the 10.15 freight from Llandilo to Woodford Halse for part of its journey. It is likely that they took over the train at Gloucester Central Station and would have worked the train via Winchcombe, Toddington and Broadway to Honeybourne Up West sidings.  Their engine that day?  Our very own 7903 Foremarke Hall.

At that time 7903 was based at Cardiff East Dock (88A). The fireman's personal notes for the trip said "heavy load and she had to be blown a bit" - meaning the blower had to be kept on to keep the fire alive when the driver closed the regulator. This suggests she may have not been steaming very well.

This trip would have been in 7903's last few days in traffic as her record card shows she was condemned on the 15th June 1964 and was in Barry scrap yard by August the same year.

So here is our latest 'Five Minutes With' Tina Sutton.

My railway business card if I had one, would say:

Fireman and Steam Locomotive Department Finance Manager 

I first got interested in railways because:

It was because of my father, Ray Matthews.  He started with the Great Western Railway in the 1940s at Worcester and eventually became a driver on steam at Gloucester Horton Road.  He continued as a driver until the early 1980s.  He regularly worked over the Honeybourne Line - he used to say that it was his favourite stretch of railway so you can imagine how pleased I was when I qualified as a fireman on his favourite railway.  

Because we didn't have a car, we used to go everywhere by bus or train so the seed was sown.  But Dad didn't particularly encourage me to be interested - I just was.  

Sadly, he died before the embryonic Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway had grown very much but I know how proud he would be to imagine that his daughter was following in his steps on steam.  There is a bench on Winchcombe platform dedicated to him.  When my train is coming in to the station, I imagine him sitting there sometimes making sure I'm doing everything properly!

My day-to-day involvement with the railway involves:

When on duty, arriving at the railway very early - usually by 6am - to start preparing the locomotive.  That involves carrying out a host of safety checks, cleaning out the grate if the engine has been used the previous day, emptying the smokebox and ashpan and starting to gradually build up steam for the day's work.  I also work with the driver to discuss the day's work, and any defects that have been recorded. The engine will also need cleaning and polishing: usually there are a few willing department members to help.   Firing and managing the locomotive's boiler during the day, as well as helping to keep a good look out for signals or any other hazards is challenging and very satisfying.  And at the end of the day there is another hour of work shunting coaches and 'disposing' of the engine to make sure it can be safely left overnight.  

Also I look after the department's accounts.  We have quite a large budget for consumables such as coal, firebars, oil, transport and so on.  

On a voluntary basis, I also:

Well, the people in the steam loco department are a very sociable and friendly bunch but they are hopeless at organising social events.  So I've taken on organising things such as days out on main-line rail-tours, Christmas dinner, a b-b-q and so on - everyone seems to appreciate it!  I can also often be found in the department helping out with locomotive maintenance or any of a thousand other jobs that always seem to need doing.

I first was prompted to get involved with the GWSR because: 

As my daughter Stacie was growing up (she's now 21) and I found I had more spare time and wanted to do something for myself.  So in 2007 I decided it was time to pursue my interest in railways and follow in Dad's footsteps.  I presented myself at the railway and was introduced to the steam locomotive department and made very welcome.  The rest, as they say, is history!

The thing I like most about our railway is:

Without doubt, the people.  They are welcoming, inclusive and work well as a team.  Everyone has a smile and a few friendly words to exchange.  The recent troubles with the embankment collapse at Winchcombe has really given everyone on the railway a focus.  It seems to have brought people together and I believe we will all come through that all the stronger.

The thing I like least:

Politics!  Notwithstanding what I like about the railway, I suppose when people are really passionate about their particular cause there can be disagreement and political manoeuvring which, at times, can be a real distraction for the railway.  We're all working to the same end and sometimes people need to remind themselves of that. 

I think the greatest achievement of our railway is:

Just look at what we have now.  It all started with a derelict strip of land and now we are running a really amazing heritage railway, all built up from almost nothing.  That to my mind is an extraordinary achievement.  I'm certain that we can and will achieve and awful lot more in the future.

My 'real job' or profession is:

I am a compliance and offset officer for TRL Technology in Tewkesbury.  It's an international intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology business and involves a lot of travel.  

I always read (newspapers or magazines):

I never have time!  I keep up with the news on radio and TV

The headline I would most like to see or hear in the media is:

"The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway ran its first train today over the repaired embankment at Winchcombe…"

My favourite railway company / operator is or was:

That's not hard! The Great Western Railway, of course.  After all, it's the railway my Dad joined and worked for; and after it became the Western Region of British Railways, all his working life.

My favourite locomotive class(es) is/are:

Well, I think it has to the Hall.  One of the guys in the department is Derek Smith, who as a young fireman knew my father.  He has some old roster notes that shows my Dad drove no. 7903 Foremarke Hall hauling the 10.15 freight from Llandilo to Woodford Halse in May 1964, just before it was withdrawn.  That engine was rescued and is now working on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.  In fact, it is the first engine I fired after 'passing out' as a fireman so it has a particularly emotional attachment for me!  

If I was lucky enough, I would invest a £1 million windfall on:

Oooh, well, a new house, a new car and perhaps a decent holiday.  I would invest some to help provide a more comfortable living and I would certainly put some into the railway.  If it happened now, I could donate a good sum towards helping meet the final £170,000 that the railway needs to finish the embankment repair at Winchcombe.

If I wasn't involved with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway I would probably:

Not much, I imagine.  But I would spend a lot more time walking.

In other spare time I also enjoy:

Walking - especially in the Cotswolds and the Derbyshire Dales.  

If an MP3 player really only could play three pieces of music, I would choose:

That is really hard to answer.  I love rock, and one track would be from Shinedown, one from Adele and one by Joss Stone.  Could I put three albums on?

My greatest achievement is:

Giving birth to my wonderful daughter, Stacie.  And of course, passing out as a fireman!

My biggest regret is:

That my Dad never saw me on the footplate.  He would have been so proud to see me becoming a fireman!

What my family thinks of my railway interest:

Actually, they are all very supportive.  My brother Jeremy is a driver on Cross-Country trains and I think he has a sneaking envy that I am a fireman on steam.  It's something he would like to do but has never had the time.  

When I started on the railway, I think my daughter thought I was completely bonkers and was, to be honest, perhaps a bit embarrassed at what I was up to.  But now I've proven myself she couldn't be more supportive or encouraging.

In ten years' time I think the railway:

Well, we'll certainly have reached Broadway.  I would also like to think we could go south, through Hunting Butts Tunnel and on in to Cheltenham.  Surely that could be achieved and it would be so good for the railway and for the town.  Not many railways could boast of running through two tunnels!

No-one on the railway knows this about me, but:

Well, in my rather more rebellious youth, I was once banned from a night club.  And no, I'm not telling you why!