As a fireman, Mr Lowther’s physically demanding job was to stoke the engine’s boilers by shovelling the coal that fed the fire.
Decades later, revisiting the locomotive, he said: “It was a real thrill to find the Mallard being so well looked after.”
The outing, organised by Manor House care home, marked the first time Mr Lowther had ever visited the museum.
“I had great fun reminiscing about those days,” he said.
“I was able to have my picture taken alongside it and tell people about the work I did – including playing brag with my co-workers in the fire box.”
Care home staff described the retired railwayman as a “celebrity” as he was always able to share his memories of the Mallard, which was based at the Doncaster engine sheds until 1943, with other visitors.
