Conductive hearing loss is usually concomitant with impingement of abnormal bone on the stapes footplate. Vibrations of the stapes footplate introduce pressure waves in the inner ear. The "vestibular duct" ends at the oval window, where the footplate of the stapes sits. The firebox always extends beneath the footplate. A "foot iron" or "footplate" may serve as a carriage step. Clarkson was on the footplate throughout the journey, acting as the fireman for periods. Brian Fell's sculpture footplate can be seen at Flint railway station. The loudest complaint was about the draughty and dirty footplate. The footplate was entirely enclosed, improving crew working conditions in winter. Most other members of the class were unlined black with an open footplate. It is notable for having carried the Queen on a footplate trip round the railway. A quarter of the footplate staff were sacked. This caused excessive stress to the axleboxes and poor riding characteristics on the footplate. Chief Motive Power Inspector Bert Dixon stayed on the footplate for the whole trip. His daughter Penny Vaudoyer was on the footplate.