IT was brilliant to see Sheila Dibnah in The Northern Echo at Locomotion at Shildon (Echo, Apr 14). She was proclaiming the GNR Stirling Single No 1 engine was the favourite engine of her late husband, Fred. It has an 8ft diameter drive wheel and is pea green.

My old mate Chris Stirling is the grandson four times removed of Patrick Stirling who designed this locomotive all those years ago.

I met Chris when he attended Bede College at Durham University about 50 years ago. He was a real throwback to olden times. I wonder if any other university student has ever brought their own steam launch to university with them, as Chris did.

He owned the lovely steam launch that was eventually bought by the John Player Trust and was featured in The Onedin Line. It took passengers to the sailing ship when in harbour.

Chris used to sail it on the River Wear.

Chris used to shoot with us and always used a muzzle loader and wore plus fours and took snuff. He became a teacher but has a very good workshop where he renovates and makes things that run off steam!

Good to see that steam is still in the blood, but sad that he now lives in Devon so we do not see him very much.

Malcolm Rolling, Durham.