In memory of Alistair Grieve (1966-2022)

When I joined Railways Illustrated as editor last year I was fortunate to inherit a great support team of writers, with Simon Bendall, Pip Dunn, Mel Holley, Andrew Watts and Alistair Grieve – joined more recently by Richard Clinnick – providing the backbone of the magazine, alongside our fantastic photographic contributors. Without them, putting the magazine together each month would be so much harder.

While the last issue was being printed I was shocked to learn that Alistair Grieve had died suddenly, aged 55, on February 22. A friendly, unassuming man who was a passionate and active supporter of railway preservation, particularly Class 20s, industrial railways, narrow gauge railways and photography, his loss has been felt deeply among his many friends, both in the preservation sector and the wider railway community.

A prolific writer in his spare time, writing for a number of railway titles, Alistair joined Railways Illustrated when founding editor Colin Marsden brought him in to assist with putting together the heritage news pages – a role he has continued to do under Pip Dunn, Mark Nicholls and, more recently, myself – and something he was still doing on a monthly basis until the last issue. I am extremely grateful to Alistair for everything he did on the magazine over his many years of loyal service.

On behalf of all of us at Railways Illustrated, we pass on our condolences to Alistair’s family and his wide circle of friends. This issue is dedicated to Alistair’s memory as a token of our thanks for all his years of dedicated service to our readers. May he rest in peace. Right away, Alistair.