The longest serving steam train driver in Britain has passed away after 63 years of unbroken service to the British rail industry.
Dave Knowling, 78, from Holne, Devon first joined British Rail in 1954 when, aged just 15, he became a cleaner at his local depot.
He died on December 23 following complications from his cancer treatment and his funeral took place today.
Dave Knowling (pictured in February 2017) has passed away after 63 years of continuous service to the rail industry, he is thought to be the longest serving steam train driver in Britain
Mr Knowling was soon promoted to the footplate when he became a stoker, also known as a fireman, and he continued in the role until being made redundant in 1967.
He then joined the newly-formed Dart Valley Railway as their first ever full-time employee in 1968.
Two years later, he became a fully qualified steam driver, eligible to drive on British Rail main lines, a job he continued to do on a full-time basis well into his sixties.
He eventually retired in 2004 but the train buff couldn’t stay away for long and he would drive one day a week up until October 2017, when he was forced to stop because of cancer.
Mr Knowling, from Holne, Devon, (pictured with colleague Colin Hames) had a love of trains from a young age joining British Rail age just 15
He was soon promoted to the footplate when he became a stoker, also known as a fireman, and Mr Knowling continued in the role until being made redundant in 1967 (pictured left with colleague Ernie Carter)
Friends, families and old colleagues attended his funeral today.
As a mark of respect, steam trains on what is now the South Devon Railway have already carried wreaths in his memory.
His coffin was carried by his favourite engine, a 6412 locomotive, along his favourite line from Buckfastleigh to Totnes seven miles away for one final time.
Mr Knowling pictured with wife Sue on their wedding day in April 1970, the same year he became a fully qualified steam driver
The poignant service made a special stop alongside ‘Pixie Falls’, a garden of gnomes that was passionately created by Dave.
His family and friends, including Sue, his wife of 47 years, also travelled on-board the 6412 locomotive before a service and burial was held in Buckingfastleigh.
Several of Dave’s former colleagues were in attendance, wearing their overalls as a mark of respect to him.
Mr Knowling died on December 23 following complications after cancer treatment, his funeral was attended by friends, family and a number of colleagues
His coffin was carried by his favourite engine, a 6412 locomotive, along his favourite line from Buckfastleigh to Totnes one last time
Dick Wood, of the South Devon Railway said: ‘Dave was a one-off driver who’d done it all on British Railways as a fireman from 1954 to 1967 before spending the next 50 years working trains on the Buckfastleigh line.
‘He always seemed to enjoy life to the full and was fun to be with.
‘I’ll miss him terribly and have many happy memories of being one of his regular firemen from 1978 to 1987.
A young Dave Knowling who went on to serve the British rail industry for 63 years of unbroken service
‘Our thoughts and condolences are with Dave’s wife Sue and their family and friends, and everyone agrees that the SDR really won’t be the same without him.
‘He leaves a huge gap in the ranks of South Devon Railway volunteers and will be greatly missed by all.
‘His knowledge and experience of steam locomotives was unrivalled. He was a superb all-round engineman and master of his craft.’
Mr Knowling, pictured on the Eurostar, was a train buff and despite retiring in 2004, he continued driving once a week until October 2017
Close colleague Dick Wood said: ‘Dave was a one-off driver who’d done it all on British Railways as a fireman from 1954 to 1967 before spending the next 50 years working trains on the Buckfastleigh line’