Chairman stands down from Class 40 Preservation Society

chairman of the Class 40 Preservation Society, John Stephens, resigned from his position in early March after more than 14 years of heading the East Lancashire Railway-based group. The CFPS owns three Class 40s, with main line-registered D345 and 40135 based on the ELR and 40106 Atlantic Conveyor currently on the Severn Valley Railway, but due to return to the ELR imminently. While both D345 and 40106 are operational, 40135 is currently stopped due to crankshaft damage and is awaiting repairs (Railways Illustrated, October 2021). Mr Stephens has been suffering poor health for a number of years and said in a statement issued by the CFPS: “I have given everything to the role in an effort to move the society forward and I became that obsessed in doing so.

“It became a priority over my family, several job offers, and also my health.

“As most of you know, while I can talk for ages without a rest, I can’t walk far without a rest, as my crumbly bones continue to crumble.

“I am overdue a left knee replacement and also a right hip replacement, and the NHS has indicated that I will fairly soon be going in ‘the works’ for a major overhaul.” Mr Stephen’s decision to step down from the role comes three months after the agreement between the CFPS and Locomotive Services for the hire of D345 was terminated by mutual agreement after various aspects concerning the hire of the locomotive to the

Crewe-based-operator attracted criticism on social media.

It also follows the resignation of the CFPS’S engineering officer, Lee Kenny, who had worked closely with Mr Stephens for a number of years.

Clive Elverstone has been appointed as acting chairman until the society’s annual general meeting takes place in April, with Mr Stephens recommending that members vote Mr Elverstone as his permanent replacement at the forthcoming AGM.