Our railway industry is indebted to Dick Hardy

I read with interest the article on Dick Hardy, following his death a few weeks ago ( RAIL 848).

As a railway apprentice back in the 1970s, I was interviewed by Dick to migrate onto the sponsored engineering undergraduate scheme.

Needless to say, I was quaking in my proverbial boots. Dick couldn’t have been more welcoming. He put me at my ease, and to my immense surprise chose me along with one other to be the only successful internal applicants on that year’s intake of 40 souls.

One of the great things about the pre-privatised railway was its structured training, which gave you a wide cross-section of experience across all areas of the industry. Looking back, it’s clear to me that the controlling influence on this was Dick Hardy. Numerous future successful senior railway managers passed through his hands.

From a personal perspective, he was one of two key mentors in the industry who educated me into how to treat and motivate those who worked with me. His approach to treating people as individuals rather than a collective was the key, aided by his immense memory of detail and names. I’ve had to learn how to replicate his approach without such a memory.

I last saw Dick a couple of years ago, when I managed to get him on a GBRf cab ride with one of our Train Managers (Geoff Brown) who, typically for Dick, he’d bumped into and befriended.

Dick’s baritone voice boomed out, and it was clear his memory was untainted by age. He wrote me a letter of thanks which I treasure.

Dick’s influence will live on long with those whose careers he helped progress. In setting up GBRf I endeavoured and still endeavour to ensure that what Dick taught me is translated into how we run the business and treat its people. The success of the business is hopefully a testament to the late great Dick Hardy. John Smith, Managing Director, GB Railfreight

Thank you for your excellent ■ article about the life of the late Dick Hardy ( RAIL 848).

I first met Dick when he addressed the Marlborough College Railway Society in 1982, and he and his wife Gwenda became firm and steadfast friends.

Nick Brodrick captured the essence of a man who was kind, gentle, full of enthusiasm, with a sparkle in his eye and a warmness of spirit who touched the lives of thousands of people in Britain and France.

A fitting tribute would be the naming of a prestigious train

R.H.N. Hardy. Over to the train operating companies… Huw Rowlands, Chester