Like many who participated in the Southern Steam Program, I was fortunate to meet folks such as Engineer Walter Dove and Bill Purdie Master Mechanic of Steam for the entire Southern Railway from 1968 to 1982.
William "Bill" Purdie was amazing---a legend in the steam restoration and operation world and kept both home and visiting steam engines running all accross the System. Southern President Graham Claytor was quoted as saying that Bill Purdie had "the touch"when it came to making a a steam engine do its best. He was certainly the very best! Bill Purdie passed away in July 2010.