Accountant drives three hours to North Wales to shovel coal as 'fireman'
Joanne Ormesher found solace and connection to her late grandfather through her work with steam engines, which also gave her strength during her fight against an aggressive form of cancer.
Her tale is one of five transformed into music by leading folk musicians for BBC Radio 2's '21st Century Folk', marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway as part of this year's celebrations.
The bicentenary, spearheaded by Railway 200, kicked off with over 200 locomotives sounding their whistles worldwide, while Inspiration, a complimentary exhibition train detailing rail's history and future, is currently making its way around the UK.
Ms Ormesher fondly remembers her grandfather, an engineer who crafted model trains, with engine parts scattered throughout his house.
It wasn't until 20 years after he passed away that she encountered a majestic steam engine at a local station, reigniting her passion.
She was surprised to see the engine, not just on display but fully operational: "I thought they were consigned to museums," she said.
"But this was hissing and breathing at the station. It felt alive. I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts, and it felt like my grandad was there. The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him."
Her life changed that day and she began volunteering cleaning engines at a local heritage railway and quickly rose through the ranks to become a fireman.
She now volunteers on the Llangollen Railway in Denbighshire, a journey that can take up to three hours from her home near Blackburn.
Starting as early as 5am, Ms Ormesher shovels hundreds of kilos of coal and ensures the train's engine is working correctly.
It took her body nearly a year to adapt to the punishing labour. Despite the toil, she often daydreams about being back on the railway while working in the office as an accountant.
In 2019, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and the railways helped her through.
"I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived," Ms Ormesher said.
"But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines. It's what kept me focused. Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it."
Now in remission, she continues to volunteer as a fireman. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Ms Ormesher also strives to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts and champions greater opportunities for women on heritage railways.
She said she loved the song about her – Firecracker, by Findlay Napier – and was "so emotional" when listening to it.
The five songs celebrate 200 years since the first steam-powered, passenger rail journey when George Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: "The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life.
"Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives.
"This is a momentous year for the UK, and it's been wonderful to see so many people getting involved, with hundreds of events happening across the country and the rest of the world."
The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 this week.
On Friday, Jeremy Vine will broadcast live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit in Derby.
BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter Mark Radcliffe said: "Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families.
"It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists."
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