A RAILWAYMAN who helped build a top-secret, but ultimately unsuccessful, steam engine has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Over six decades, Reg Moses worked as a fitter in Darlington’s North Road shops, building world-renowned locomotives.

During his career, he worked on Nigel Gresley’s infamous Hush-Hush – a high-pressure engine so shrouded in secrecy that it had to be worked on under a sheet.

The Hush-Hush was given its name by a Northern Echo reporter, who had heard about a top-secret engine being developed in Darlington, but was not allowed access to it.

The engine was finally unveiled in 1930, four years after Mr Moses started working for British Rail Engineering.

The loco was withdrawn from service in 1959 and scrapped shortly afterwards.

Mr Moses retired after 49 years of service in 1975.

Until last year, when an accident meant he had to move into the Wilton House Nursing Home, Mr Moses lived all his life in Darlington’s railway housing, in Peabody Street. He now lives in the nursing home with his wife, Florrie, 92.

Mr Moses’ nephew, Eddie Hoy, 67, of Hurworth, near Darlington, said his uncle was a traditional railwayman who took great pride in his work.

He said: “He worked on new engines, building locos from scratch, and over his time there would’ve worked on every bit of them.”

Yesterday, friends, family and home staff joined Mr Moses for his birthday celebrations.

Mr Hoy said: “He’s had a smashing day, it went down really well.”

Mr Moses is the oldest member of Harrowgate Hill Club and Institute, in Darlington, which yesterday paid tribute to him.

Dave Cartwright, treasurer at the club, said: “He’s an absolutely marvellous bloke. I’ve known him, or known of him, all my life.

“He was always in the club, dancing with his wife, every Wednesday and Sunday.

“They were very active in the club until a few years ago.

“Everyone knew him around Peabody Street, where he lived.

“Going into his house was like going back in time to the Forties, he never changed it at all.”