Former SVR supremo Michael Draper dies

FORMER SEVERN Valley Railway general manager Michael Draper – one of preservation’s most outspoken voices and critics – died on September 26, aged 90.

An accountant by training and a lifelong transport enthusiast, Michael joined the board of the SVR Holdings Company as finance director in 1973. He was appointed as acting general manager of the SVR in January 1976, following the resignation of Hugh Mossop, and became C

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full-time GM the following C

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a year, staying in the role

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for 16 years. I V A D

Paying tribute, the SVR said: “This period was one of unprecedented and intense activity based on his very successful partnership with Alun Rees as chief engineer. Michael was very charismatic and much was achieved, with numerous infrastructure and engineering projects, and improvements in commercial and operating practices. During this time, the railway was extended beyond Bewdley to Kidderminster. Further to that, the national profile of the SVR was enhanced with its major contribution to the newly promoted ‘Steam on BR’ programme, with up to nine SVR-based locomotives certified to operate on the main line.”

Michael was well known for his forthright opinions on the heritage industry, proclaiming in a Steam Railway interview in 1981 that “the railway preservation movement contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction.” He also fervently believed there were too many heritage railways. After being sacked from the railway in 1993, Michael spent a short spell as general manager on the Great Central Railway. In retirement, he continued to comment on heritage railway matters in the national railway press, and contributed to SR’s 500th issue in 2019 with a typically outspoken interview with David Wilcock on the state of the industry. The SVR added: “We extend our sincere condolences to Michael’s family on their sad loss.”