Oh...I thought I had put my foot in it! My grandad was a driver in steam days (later moving on to modern traction before retirement) and he never liked them. The same as lot of ex br steam drivers I work with now! Oh well everyone is different and I don't wish to start an argument. I have removed that from my post now anyway!
I work for Network rail and I am a volunteer on a steam railway by the way as well as loving cars etc.
What region did he drive for?
Was he a lover of all products Swindon?
GWR/Western region. He was at stafford road so yes loved all things from Swindon....like me 
Railway companyism comes into this a lot

What railway are you involved with?
Yes just a bit
I don't mind the black 5's I prefer the unique stephensons valve geared one though.
Involved with the SVR and have been for the past 18 years or so.
Yes, No. 4767, built at Crewe with outside Stephenso link motion, along with Timken roller bearings and double blastpipe and chimney

He also developed the Caprotti geared Black Fives under BR ownership, M4748- 44757 (Crewe), 44738-44747(Crewe), and 44686-44687 (Horwich).
One of a number of experimental Black Five engines by H.G. Ivatt whilst still at the LMS. He of course went on into BR days to produce the Standard 5, which was a great development of Stanier's original product.
NB For those who wish to know, the Walschaert, Stephenson, and the unique Bulleid Chain valve drive system, all involve interconnected reciprocating valve gears, driving valve spindles, for admission, expansion, exhaust and compression, acting together.
With Caprotti valve gearing it is all done by cams (very modern and car like) and rotating shafts, to put it simply.
Strangely the Caprotti valve gear never became widespread in British railway engineering.
