Sir William McAlpine

For a man who has achieved so much it is difficult to single out his biggest achievement, but it would be safe to say that steam operation on the main line would have ceased in the 1970s had it not been for Sir William's influence in countering the bureaucracy and opposition to steam's continued operation. Thirty years later steam locomotives operating on the main line still give pleasure and education to millions and we have mainly Sir William to thank for this.