THE man whose vision to see the dormant Warwick railway precinct roaring to life with the sound of a steam engine has been bestowed the incredible honour of having a locomotive take his name.

Vice-president and founding member of the Southern Downs Steam Railway Bob Keogh now has his name emblazoned across one of the iconic trains.

He will now step down from his role, due to ill health.

His family and friends gathered at the railway yesterday to honour the man whose life has so far seen him wear the hats of train driver, flying instructor, family man and true community legend.

The iconic C17 steam locomotive, newly named the Bob Keogh, started its journey at the Warwick station 20 years ago and was formerly known as the Downs Dasher.

Southern Downs Steam Railway president Peter Gregory said it was Mr Keogh's vision to put together the railway station as it is known today.

"Bob had a dream in the mid '90s for the rail museum and with his passion he pushed it to what we have today,” he said.

With a team following his lead, it took seven years of rebuilding for the locomotive to make its first passenger trip on Australia Day in 2009.

Long-time friend and colleague John Brady said it was Mr Keogh's "tremendous efforts” all those years ago that made the young fitter and turner join the railway team.

"Bob and the others who started the committee were a driving force,” he said.

"He had to jump through hoops which any lesser man would have quit, and that's the guy I want to work with and follow,” Mr Brady said.

Former Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg also attended the ceremony and said he wouldn't have missed it for anything.

"It's been a great privilege to work with Bob, he is a great example of community service,” Mr Springborg said.

"Through his enthusiasm and resourcefulness he has built something in the community which will withstand the test of time.”

As local member at the time the railway station was an up and coming project, Mr Springborg worked by Mr Keogh's side addressing issues with Queensland Rail.

"I admire what Bob has achieved, even though at the time it seemed frustrating to navigate through, he never turned his back on the railway,” Mr Springborg said.

Despite the railway chugging in big commercial rails and the guided steam tours, the entire operation is run by volunteers.

SDSR president Peter Gregory said the precinct was one of Warwick's biggest attractions.

"We are definitely up there with the biggest tourist providers, transporting people from all over the country,” he said.

From its establishment the railway has provided the town with jobs and has partnered with Southern Downs Industry Education Association to provide training workshops for engineering students.

Teaching others has been a part of Mr Keogh's career from training locomotive drivers to moving into aviation and becoming a flight instructor.

Darling Downs Aero Club flight instructor Graeme Geraghty met Mr Keogh in 1981 and applauded the pathways Mr Keogh has paved for future flyers and train drivers.

"It's a rare and dramatic career change going from trains to planes,” he said.

"He has a very friendly and relaxed approached to teaching and is very well respected in the industry.”

Mr Keogh said his passion for the two transportation mechanisms started in the 1950s.

"The war caused a lot of interest and showed how diversified the crafts were - and that's all I wanted to do was learn how to master it.”

Over the past eight years, Mr Keogh has been documenting his amazing career and community service for his detailed memoir, Around the Circle - A Life with Planes and Trains.

Mr Keogh hopes the committee can continue battling and pushing the services for the railway station.

"We have the top show in Australia and I'd like to thank everyone for their work and the memories we have together,” Mr Keogh said.

SDSR will also release merchandise with the locomotive's new name so the community can recognise Mr Keogh's involvement at the station.

Members of the railway community agree there will be big shoes to fill in his absence.