Fifty-nine years ago, 24-year-old Brian Heaton made the headlines when he took part in a race against a steam train travelling to Devon. Now, decades on, his son Michael is set to re-enact the race as a tribute to his father and to raise money for the Bowel and Cancer Research charity.
Michael, of Beverley, said: "Dad and two of his fellow soldiers reckoned they could jump off the train at Ingra Tor Halt, take a 1.15-mile shortcut across Dartmoor while the train did a 2.75-mile circuit around the hills, and hop back on at King Tor halt.
"Their plan almost collapsed when the train's fireman realised what was happening, stoked up the engine and chugged along at top speed, cutting four minutes from the expected journey time."
The soldiers, however, did make it and received a hearty applause from fellow passengers.
Michael, 50, will now take part in his own escapade in a tribute to his 82-year-old father, who is currently housebound and suffering with memory problems.
The challenge will take place on Saturday, August 9, and Michael will be joined by his 23-year-old son Joseph and cousin Paul Hindle.
Michael said: "As a boy, I heard dad tell this story many times. My objective now is to try to simulate a bit of the past and to share a moment with him.
"I'll report back with photos and a video for my dad.
"His long-term memory is quite good and it will definitely create a spark of recognition."
The three fundraisers are now hoping to beat the target time set by Brian all those years ago.
The Princetown to Yelverton railway line was closed in 1955, three months after Brian's race, but the track is now a cycle route.
Michael has arranged with local farmer Barry Landick to do the train journey with his Land-Rover.
"He's going to drive at an average 18mph on the old train route from Ingra Tor to King Tor, while I make a dash for it over the hills," Michael said. "It's all systems go."
Michael, a product development manager for Ideal Standard International in Hull, will be raising money for the International Child Campaign, and for Bowel and Cancer Research in memory of his sister, Lesley Ann Johnson, who died at the age of 48 in 2008 after suffering from bowel cancer.
"Dad thought the world of my sister, so this is for both of them," Michael said.
The chief executive of Bowel and Cancer Research, Deborah Gilbert,thanked Michael for his support.
She said: "More than 16,000 people die of bowel cancer in the UK every year, and our aim is to change that."
To support Michael's fundraising, visit his fundraising page.
