Railway People – a reflection on 26 years at the NRM – Bob Gwynne

Bob Gwynne

We were pleased to welcome Bob to Nottingham. His name will be known to a number of members because of his time at the NRM, which he left in 2023. The talk occupied a solid two hours and, notwithstanding the title, was structured as a series of micro topics, which were inspired by his time at the NRM. Borrowing a journalistic technique, many of these were presented with a human interest angle. Bob was in a fortunate position to meet many railwaymen and others and he takes a keen interest in railway history. It would not be possible to list everything he covered but apart from such familiar topics as Flying Scotsman and the HST, Bob for instance made brief introductions to Davidson’s “Galvani” battery locomotive of 1842 and the experimental three-phase electric “triebwagen” in Germany that set a speed record of 130mph in 1903 (a feat which seems to have generally flown below the radar, both at the time and subsequently). He put names to unsung but notable engineers such as Alan Wickens whose research on the wheel-rail interface informed both the APT and Pacer. Bob also mentioned the Armstrong Whitworth engineer, Donald Watkins, who was involved in the development of the Armstrong Sulzer-engined “Universal” locomotive trialled on the LNER. [NB. the loco is covered in the RCTS book on Armstrong Whitworth diesels by Brian Webb]

John WiIkins of Servis washing machine fame was mentioned for his role in the early Talyllyn Railway. He owned the Fairbourne railway and enthusiasts of a certain age may remember the adverts for Servis washing machines on the back of the tickets. Bob mentioned the Persian Railways used for supplying Russia during WWII having met a former LMS fireman who was sent to the Middle East and who progressed to be in charge of a depot out there. Bob noted that the British-supplied 8Fs were generally used on shunting [NB. line work was generally in the hands of the WD “Middle East” American-built Mikados until diesel locos were supplied, Persia being desperately short of water - there is an article in the Railway Gazette in February 1945 which provides a good description of the operation].

The talk was well received by the audience of 25 members and guests