The Earl of Lindsay

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James Lindesay-Bethune, 16th Earl of Lindsay (Lord Jamie Lindsay) succeeded his father as Earl of Lindsay in 1989.[1] In summer 1997 he was appointed a Vice-President of SVR(H) representing the Loco Owners, as his family at the time owned 61994 The Great Marquess (LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway 3442).[2] As of 2022 he remains a Vice-President of SVRSevern Valley Railway(H).

David Lindesay-Bethune, 15th Earl of Lindsay was a Non-executive Director of the Severn Valley Railway Company from 1969.[3] He succeeded Sir Gerald Nabarro as Chairman of the Severn Valley Railway in 1973. Nabarro’s time at the SVRSevern Valley Railway had resulted in divisions within the SVRSevern Valley Railway organisation, and in the following years Viscount Garnock (as he was then titled) was instrumental in bringing the Railway together. At the SVR(H) AGM in May 1976 he stepped down as Chairman for business reasons, being succeeded by Bill Broadbent.[4]

The Earl had worked on the LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway as a young man, and in time became the owner of the SVRSevern Valley Railway’s only LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway locomotive, The Great Marquess. The locomotive was briefly steamed at the SVRSevern Valley Railway in 1973, but would not steam again until 1989. It was always the Earl’s wish to see 3442 working on the West Highland Line, for which GresleySir Nigel Gresley, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London & North Eastern Railway 1923-1941’s K4 class was designed. On 15 July 1989 the Earl, although ill, saw his wish fulfilled when he rode for the last time on the footplate of his engine as it departed from Fort William. Sadly he died 16 days later on 1 August 1989.

3442 carried a wreath for the return working over the Settle and Carlisle Line and also on the following days in service on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. The Earl’s funeral was marked in accordance with railway tradition by the sounding of 3442’s whistle at Kidderminster.

Images from the 'D(avid) Garnock collection' of photographs date from around 1948 and are posted from time to time on social media.

See also

References

  1. Wikipedia
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 123
  3. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 15
  4. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 39, 40

Links