In this interview Russell talks of family history, his life and education around the Catlins. He has had a passion for railway since childhood. Russell describes local history around Taukuku e.g. whaling, Maori settlement and ship wrecks. He also describes farming on Peninsula, saw milling, and medical treatments and diseases. At the age of 15 Russell joined the railways as a labourer where he studied and gained qualifications. He found his niche with the Kingston Flyer in 1971 and describes his experiences of running this train.