Paul Carpenter became a Chartered Engineer in 1978 and has worked in the Public and Private Sectors before becoming an engineering consultant. He also lectured to degree level for some ten years at technical colleges. He is passionate about railways and is an active volunteer in the heritage sector. He led the Spa Valley Railway extension to Eridge and is currently the Project Engineering Manager for the 4709 locomotive construction for the Great Western Society. Paul became a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 2009 and currently works for London Underground as a Lead Designer and Senior Project Engineer.