…BUT IS THAT THE END OF THE STORY?
From David Ward’s memory, and given the time all this was taking place, it’s believed the person who rang Johnson could have been the Bahamas Locomotive Society’s first chairman, Geoff Walker… which would seem to make sense.
However, John Hillier of the BLS responds: “Nobody with the organisation today knows anything of this – and some of us were involved in 1968.”
“The mid-1960s is now a long time ago and memories have become somewhat jaded as a result. It must also be borne in mind that the BRB top brass were against steam anyway and, at the time, there were a number of groups and individuals all hoping to save and subsequently operate on the main line and presumably all making ‘noises’ and representations.
“Although I was not personally involved until the BLS was formed in June 1967 I was aware that a number of approaches had been made to BR at various levels by different groups and individuals… It was a letter to the Manchester Evening News on April 27 1967 that really kickstarted the project to save [No.] 45596; Alan Bidder who wrote that letter had already been in touch with BR asking for the price.
“Geoff Walker became involved at some stage and was the first BLS chairman, although he held that position for a relatively short time before George Davies took over in mid-1968.
“Having undertaken some research, there are conflicting dates as to when ‘the ban’ was introduced. The January 1967 issue of The Railway Magazine refers to it, as does the October 1966 Railway Observer. However, I am told [that another publication]… mentions a telephone conversation with
Henry Johnson in ‘late 1968’ after which the ban was imposed. Johnson became
BRB’s chairman in January 1968 but it would seem that the ban was already in place by that date. If the ban was introduced in ‘late 1968’ then Walker was not involved with the BLS at that time. However, if the ban was introduced earlier, that was well before [No.] 45596 had been bought and when there was no society structure in place and Walker had no official role.
“The society was actually on very good terms with BR virtually from the time we bought the loco. George Davies had excellent relations with the divisional manager and the team in Manchester, having worked with them for several years running specials as secretary of the Williams Deacon’s Bank Club.
“I became a member of the ARPS Committee in early 1968 and became aware of some of the history, and in fact I recommended that George was elected to the ARPS ‘Return to Steam Committee’. Throughout that time, Peter Manisty was working hard to manage the dialogue with BR with all involved.
“If there had been some early contact with BR by Geoff Walker and others it could not have affected the relationship we had with BR as [No.] 45596 was allowed to run in steam over BR metals as a ‘private’ locomotive in 1968 (twice) and again in 1971, thus breaking the ban well before ‘KGV’s’ tour was announced and before the announcement made on April 27 1972 that the ban would be relaxed. [No.] 5596 was one of the few engines to be selected.”