An Alsager church minister ensures he never runs out of steam – by occasionally swapping the pulpit for a steam train!

Rev Rob Hilton, Minister at Wesley Place Methodist Church in Alsager, is a volunteer with the Churnet Valley Railway in Froghall.

The light engineering loving man has always loved steam trains and volunteers with the Staffordshire project.

Rev Hilton helps clean and maintain an American loco built for the war efforts now used in a local project. (Photo: Rev Rob Hilton)

"I have always loved trains, particularly steam ones and it's been a childhood ambition to work on one," said Rev Hilton.

"I grew up with them as a child and have many fond childhood memories.

"I love practical stuff and this is my way of switching off. There's great camaraderie and we've all got one interest – a love of railways and trains.

"As a child I remember visiting steam railways with my dad. It's very dusty and dirty work but I love it."

Rev Rob Hilton busy at work on the Churnet Valley Railway. (Photo: Rev Rob Hilton)

Rev Hilton volunteers two or three days a month with the Churnet Valley Railways, clearing out dust and ash, getting the engine ready for the day.

He also spent longer working on the project during the summer months, when he took a work sabbatical.

"There's three roles on a steam engine, starting with the cleaner, the fireman and the driver," he said.

Full steam ahead - the loco going down the track. (Photo: David Gibson)

"I'm a cleaner and I've learnt a lot. I say it's a bit like an American multi-gym as you have to climb all over the engine getting it clean.

"I've also cleaned and restored signal control boxes. We work with an American loco from the 1940s built as part of the war effort.

"Your brain switches off and your hands switch on," says Rev Hilton, who is no stranger to physical-type jobs.

The Churnet Valley Railway is based in Staffordshire. (Photo: David Gibson)

A coffee table in the minister's house was part of an upholstery project and the Rev Hilton built his own shepherd's hut, named 'Hilda'.

Named after the Saint of Whitby, Rev Hilton built it using salvaged wood from old fences and other second-hand material as we revealed in our story here

"It's a place where I find peace and where I often come to work, pray and plan," revealed Rev Hilton.

The loco going down the track on its journey. (Photo: Rev Rob Hilton)

For the time being though, it's the maintenance and lure of steam engines which provides the perfect release for the busy church minister.

The Churnet Valley Railway runs various excursions from breakfast, lunch, Staffordshire cream tea and curry trains not to mention the Polar Express event at Christmas. Further details on their website here