Bob Meanley is a professional mechanical engineer with a lifelong love of steam locomotives and an involvement in the restoration and operation of preserved locomotives going back for almost 55 years. After many years professional involvement with the repair and construction of major power industry pressure vessels he took up a temporary task to turn round the fortunes of Tyseley Locomotive Works in 1994, a passing phase which lasted for 25 years and saw the company turned into one of the UK's foremost repairers of steam locomotives. Whilst he has now passed on that role to his son Alastair, he continues to provide advice on the repair and operation of main line steam locomotives to a wide range of owners, private railways and national institutions.