Grandfather creates amazing model to thank Sheffield doctors who saved him and his wife

So grandfather Michael Julian decided to create an amazing model steam loco called the NHS Express to express his thanks to the Sheffield doctors who helped them.

Michael, aged 72, had to have treatment every day for seven weeks in 2018, after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He went through radiotherapy at Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield.

Wife Anne, aged 71, had suffered from life theatening-achalasia, a disorder of the oesophagus, where it loses the ability to move food along, and the valve at the end of the gullet fails to open.

She had to have part of her oesophagus removed, and connected again at the Northern General Hospital.

“She thought she was on her way out. But we went to Sheffield and saw the surgeon. She came through it and can eat normally now.

“We owe the doctors and their teams everything.”

As the couple are both currently in lockdown, he decided to do something to say thank you.

Last year he saw a model loco at the side of the road near Wetherby, and decided to create one in his garden at Skellow, Doncaster.

“I left it until lockdown,” he said. “Since then its been a labour of love. I loved steam trains and used to train spot in the 1950s.

“I have made it out of recycled parts out of the shed and garage. The only thing I bought for it was some wheel trims and some lettering.

“The boiler was made out of an old 45 gallon oil drum I bought a couple of years ago which had been in the garden for ages. My daughter had an old chrome standard lamp that I used for parts, as well as things like old drainpipes, broom handles, and axels.

“Since I brought it out and put it outside people walking past the house have been stopping to take pictures of it.”

Engineer Michael has previously worked in the railway industry, working at a wagon and carriage works in the early 90s.

“This is my tribute to the NHS,” he said. “We feel they saved both our lives.”