A WOMAN who drives steam locomotives is set to become the first woman to also serve as a Church of England minister.

Former train guard, shunter and fireman Dianne Gamble, of Thirsk, will be ordained as a deacon by The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, at a service in York Minster on Sunday (July 5).

Ms Gamble, who has worked as an explainer at the National Railway Museum, in York, for more than 18 years, said she had received a call from God to further her Christian work after qualifying as a locomotive driver 18 months ago.

She said her work helping visitors to the attraction, sharing her passion for the railways and listening to their reminiscences would help her in her role as curate of Sowerby, Sessay, Thirkleby, Kilburn and Bagby and planned to continue driving locomotives at the museum on her days off.

She said: "I have always been able to see the links between steam locomotives and spirituality and God.

"On a steam locomotive you get stillness of the water in the tender that has power infused into it by being heated up and turned into steam - power that can move something big.

"It is that mystery of God, who's with us all the time.

"There is something wonderful about steam locomotives - they come to life when you put a fire in them and in the church our lives become new when we accept the Holy Spirit."

She said she had found Thomas The Tank Engine author Reverend WH Awdry's response to being asked about the connection between trains and the Church inspiring - "The Church of England and steam engines are both the best way of getting you to your final destination".

Ms Gamble, who will be among 13 women and eight men taking holy orders at the service, said her call to ordination came after a visit to the place where Jesus was baptised on the River Jordan.

She said: "Until just before our visit the site had been part of a militarised zone and so inaccessible to tourists.

"I spent time in prayer there, reflecting on how this was the starting point of Jesus' ministry and inviting God to start something new in me."