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John Garth’s role as Society Chairman ended when the SVRS was merged into the Guarantee Company in December 1969. However in October 1971 he was elected unopposed as the first Chairman of the [[SVRA|Severn Valley Railway Association]]. As Chairman he initially supported the proposed floatation of [[SVR(H)]] in 1972<ref>SVR News 23</ref> but subsequently led the SVRA’s opposition to attempts by Sir Gerald Nabarro to gain control of the SVR.<ref>SVR News 26</ref> Part of the fallout of the Nabarro crisis saw the appointment of representatives of the SVRA and the Guarantee Company to the SVR(H) Board and John Garth duly became a director of SVR(H) on 30 June 1973. With that additional responsibility, he chose not to seek re-election as SVRA Chairman in November 1973.<ref>SVR News 28, 30</ref>
In summer 1975 he succeeded [[Richard Dunn]] as Deputy Chairman of SVR(H).<ref>SVR News 34-36</ref> The following year he agreed to join the Guarantee Company Board as its new Chairman in succession to [[Hugh Mossop]].<ref>SVR News 39</ref> He continued in the latter role until summer 1979 when he chose not to seek re-election to the Board, with [[David Owen]] taking over as Chairman.<ref>SVR News 52</ref> He continued as Deputy Chairman of SVR(H) under [[Bill Broadbent]], succeeding him as Chairman in 1987. In Summer 1989 he retired as SVR(H) Chairman, reverting to the position of Deputy Chairman, now under [[David Owen]]. In that role he led the Silver Jubilee organising committee (which he said he considered was his most rewarding job on the SVR)<ref>SVR News 93, 128</ref> and was also president of the [[SVR Apprentices|Junior Club]], in which he took an active interest.<ref>SVR News 101</ref>
In Spring 1992 John was succeeded as Deputy Chairman by [[Mick York]], although remaining on the Board.<ref>SVR News 102</ref> In late 1997 he briefly resumed the role of Deputy Chairman following the retirement of Jim Higgs<ref>SVR News 125, 127</ref> but in spring 1998 he underwent major surgery.<ref>SVR News 126</ref> He recovered, but retired as a Director on 24 July 1998 having reached the age of 70. He was appointed to the honorary position of Life Vice President.<ref name=SVR128>SVR News 128</ref>
