Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall leaving Mosgiel by train made the memories roll back for one man in the crowd.
Maurice Bryson, of Mosgiel, was a fireman on the royal train between Timaru and Dunedin for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954.
It took six months to select the crew, he said.
''It was an honour to be selected.''
The security presence on the trip was immense, he said''There was a big scare after the Tangiwai [disaster].
''Everyone was on edge ... every tunnel, every bridge, every road had a policeman.''
He never saw Queen Elizabeth II because she was in the back carriage and he was in the leading engine.
The crew had special instructions to slow the train if a group of people was waiting on the side of the tracks so the Queen could wave.
''We got a bit pressed for time so the groups on the latter stages we just shot past.''
He joined about 1000 people at Mosgiel Railway Station on Thursday to greet Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Royal couple took time out to meet the crowd.
East Taieri School pupil Chelsea King (7), of Mosgiel, said it was the first time she had seen royalty and she wanted to know what it felt like to be a prince.
Prince Charles stopped to talk to Taieri College pupil Chivonne Vosloss (18) and asked how her exams were going.
''It was awesome,'' Chivonne said.
Lorraine Mee, of Mosgiel, said she had her hand shaken by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The couple were charming, she said.
''I think they were quite amazed at how many people were here.''
