INDUSTRY PULLS TOGETHER TO RUN DENNIS HOWELLS’ FAREWELL TRAIN

The last main line run of GWRdesign pannier tank No. 9466 under the ownership of the late Dennis Howells took place between Drayton Green, West Ruislip, Princes Risborough and return on October 20, writes PHIL MARSH.

West Coast Railways agreed to operate the three-coach train for no charge; Great Western Railway waived its station access charges and made a donation to St Luke’s Hospice in Harrow, who looked after Mr Howells in his last weeks; meanwhile Chiltern Railways and Network Rail also agreed to help ‘make the trip happen’.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway made the arrangements for No. 9466 to get to Southall from Dereham and then on to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, and sold the memorial train tickets. Meanwhile, the BRC sponsored the coal and the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway provided operational staff, servicing facilities and made arrangements to shunt the train at Thame Junction and Chinnor as required. London Transport Museum provided train stewards and watering facilities at West Ruislip.

●● See Down Main.

JOHn H. bIRd ‘94XX’ no. 9466 passes Hanwell with the empty coaching stock for its late owner’s memorial train on October 20.