Barry Hayward has lived and breathed railways since he was a young lad of just eight.

Now the former superintendent at Westinghouse is working up a head of steam on a book about the history of Wiltshire's lines, past and present.

The 76-year-old said: “Like most boys I used to go trainspotting and looking round railway yards and that interest stuck with me.

“I left school and started an apprenticeship at Westinghouse Rail Systems. I would work on railway equipment, braking systems and signalling systems.

“I ended up being the superintendent there but then I left to start my own business in 1979, this has been a thread through my early days up to now," said Barry, whose own firm was Novacast.

“Railway is quite a complex thing run and you get all sorts of difficulties which makes it interesting. I got to see how the system changed, when I first started it was all locomotives and now there’s more modern traction.”

Over the years he has collected memorabilia like station signs from all over the county and he plans to use them in his book.

Although he only retired this year he has already put in some work on it but he's looking for help from from people who have personal connections or an interest in the railways so he can tell their stories too.

Barry, of Truro Walk, Chippenham, said: “Over the years I have spoken to a lot of railway men and women but many have sadly passed away. But I have taped our conversations and been taking photographs for many years which I will be including.

“I’ve just retired after 60 years of work and this is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I want to start putting it together now and it would be great if I could get people who are interested to contact me so this isn’t just a history book but also of people’s lives.”

His main interest is the routes in Chippenham, Westbury and Bathampton and the aim is to use photographs to show how they have changed over the decades, including rail accidents and other historic moments.

Anyone who wants to help with memories or pictures can call him on 01249 653322