A former steam train worker returned to his home town to sign copies of his book about life on the railways.
Grandfather-of-two Patrick Kelly shared his memories with fellow train enthusiasts during a book signing at WHSmith in Didcot last Saturday.
The 63-year-old, who was born and brought up in Didcot, started working on the railways when he left St Birinus School in 1959.
He began as a trainee fitter, mending and repairing steam engines from across the south of England, before becoming a fully-fledged fitter five years later.
Mr Kelly left the railways in 1966 and now lives near King’s Lynn, working as a civil servant at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
He began writing Didcot Steam Apprentice nine years ago and finally saw it published in 2007.
He said: “The book is about my time as an apprentice, the antics I got up to, the fun times and some serious times. I have fond memories of those days.”
Speaking at the signing, he said: “I have sold about 20 books, met a lot of people that I used to know back in the 1960s and have had some tears from the fond memories. It has been a smashing day.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here