VETERAN railway man Dave Knowling made his final journey along the South Devon Railway line he loved surrounded by his friends and family this week.

Dave died at his Buckfastleigh home, aged 78, on December 23, following treatment for oesophageal cancer.

With 63 consecutive years of service he was believed to be the longest-serving steam engine driver in Britain, if not the world. 

READ OUR FULL STORY IN FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, EDITION OF THE PAPER.