The Earl of Lindsay
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 (LNER 3442).[2] As of 2022[update] he remains a Vice-President of SVR(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 SVR had resulted in divisions within the SVR 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 LNER as a young man, and in time became the owner of the SVR’s only LNER locomotive, The Great Marquess. The locomotive was briefly steamed at the SVR 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 Gresley’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 SVR. The Earl’s funeral was marked in accordance with railway tradition by the sounding of 3442’s whistle at Kidderminster.
See also
References
Links
- David Lindesay-Bethune, 15th Earl of Lindsay on Wikipedia
- James Lindesay-Bethune, 16th Earl of Lindsay on Wikipedia