Riley pair honoured for 74 years of service and dedication to East Lancashire
TWO heritage sector stalwarts who in recent times have been associated with No. 60163 Flying Scotsman received a surprise visit to their workshops in January from Mike Kelly, chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, to honour their dedication to the line.
In January, Mike presented Ian Riley and Colin Green, of Riley & Son, with their ELR Long Service Awards and a framed print of the Black Horse/Flying Scotsman TV advertisement which features iconic scenes filmed along the ELR.
Riley & Son looks after the locomotive on behalf of its owner, the National Railway Museum.
Ian, who has served 44 years as an ELR working volunteer, and Colin, who has served 30 years, were unable to attend the railway’s awards evening last October. Mike said: “It took all of three months to pin them down but I was determined to present their much-deserved plaques in person and to be able to say thankyou for their many years of service.”
Ian and Colin said: “We look back with pride and fondness on our many years volunteering with this very special heritage railway.
“It was a really nice and pleasant surprise to receive these awards to mark the good times we have had.”