Born in Taunton in 1950 - he next spent a period of three years at St. Luke's College, Exeter where he received his formal art training.
Simon's lifelong interest in railways is a result of being born into a railway family and he was privileged to have travelled widely over the pre-Beeching West Country railway network. He is a founder member of The West Somerset Railway Association and was one of the support crew with The 6000 Locomotive Association in 1971 on the original Return to Steam Rail Tour with G.W.R. King Class 4-6-0 "King George V".
His fascination with the steam locomotive has led him into model engineering and he is a past chairman of both Taunton Model Engineers and The West Wilts Society of Model Engineers. He has been responsible for the design of several miniature steam locomotives and has developed a special interest in
valve gear and valve events.
Simon joined the Guild of Railway Artists in 1988 becoming a full member in 1999. He has exhibited with the Guild at The National Railway Museum, York and 'Steam' at Swindon.
He became a born again biker in 1998 and maintains an active interest in industrial archaeology.