Marcus Robinson for Knighthood

I have known Marcus for sometime and he is the most inspirational people I have ever known. One only has to travel on Steam Dreams trains to appreciate his incredible appetite for steam on the mainline, especially his beloved Southern.

He is often seen asking the driver how things are going and if there are any problems, so concerned is he that his loyal customers arrival at their destination on time and behind steam!

He launched Steam Dreams many years ago and his passion for steam has ensured that Steam Dreams has continued to provide the most expansive tours around.

If you visit their offices in Surrey you will see an energetic team of people dealing with the hundreds of enquiries that come in every day and his son Charlie is a great ambassador for Steam Dreams.

But forget Steam Dreams. Think about the man. Marcus is an example of a kind and gentle man who has not only seen his own dreams come true but has enabled millions of passengers to embrace steam on the mainline.

For his magical qualities and his passion for ensuring passengers have the time of their lives behind steam, I nominate that Marcus Robinson is bestowed the honour of SIR MARCUS in the Queen's Honours list 2012/13

Nick

 

robinson?

 

You can't know him that well if you get his surname wrong !

Bob.

 

As many good things as Marcus Robertson has done, I can't really see anyone in Railway Preservation getting a Knighthood im afraid, certainly not for Preservation activities anyway, too much of a minority field in the grand scheme of things.

 

It surprises me how many people seem to get Mr. Hosking's surname wrong, too. I agree that it is a bit too much of a niche subject for a Knighthood, and the honours system depends upon on how many people have had dealings with Mr. Robertson (I can't say I have). Maybe an MBE for services to railway heritage in the future; that would certainly be achievable...

 

I'd agree that Marcus is a splendid chap - I don't know him well but we usually have a few words whenever I travel with Steam Dreams. It's actually one of the things I like about SD is that you will usually find Marcus and/or Graeme Bunker on every train and they are always happy to chat with the paying punters. When I emailed SD recently with a comment/suggestion I got a personal phone call from Marcus the next day - that's what I call customer service. I think though that if anyone at SD deserves an award it should probably be Graeme. They have come on in leaps and bounds since he joined - many new itineraries have been introduced including those starting outside of London plus of course the Cathedrals Explorer and now they are even going to have their own set of stock. Most importantly though Graeme has a lot of experience in the rail industry and has a knack of making things happen (just look at the last two years' 9th July runs). I think Marcus would be the first to acknowledge the contribution he's made.

 

Marcus is a steam hero! He should receive recognition!

 

If anybody in the steam movement deserves a knighthood, its Mark Allatt.

The way he has drove Tornado forward (together with his team), has improved the outlook of joe public towards steam in general.

Ally that to 3 royal trains, continued strong running of the loco, repayment of loans on time etc.., and it is something the movement can learn from.

His enthusiasm is inspiring to people who deal with him, and he had a word for everybody on The Elizabethan.

 

Not a hero. Heroes are those who put their lives on the line in the service of others, doctors, nurses etc. whom perform miracles in the aftermath of disasters.

 

So we'll ignore the pioneers of the steam preservation movement shall we? Tom Rolt saving the Talyllyn, Alan Pegler and friends saving the Festiniog, the Bluebell pioneers, Peter Prior who orchestrated the end of the infamous steam ban. Without those, there would have been no Tornado.

 

Here you go again, if you had not noticed, he is ALIVE, still doing the job in a manner better than anybody else.

Would not expect everybody to agree, thats what forums are for, or have you missed that as well.

 

Ever heard of posthumous awards? Anyway not all the Bluebell pioneers have passed on, one is still very much alive and past the 100 mark - Bernard Holden - but I think he's got an OBE.
In all seriousness the preservation movement is full of people who have made selfless contributions over the years and to single out an individual is invidious IMO.

 

He should get a knighthood after he has wrangled the WCRC owned Tangmere to double head with Clan Line on some of his (DBS opperated) Cathedrals Express' tours over the Southern Railway network!! (Original Bulleid leading of course).

 

Why would you want to hamper Tangmere by hanging a detuned MN on its drawbar?

 

Well it's had Stanier 5s & Riddles Britannias hanging there, and it even pushed tender first a Gresley A4 and it's train in the west country!


And we might actually get to see Clan Line covered in grime (from the leading engine) for once!

 

Doubt it as I'm sure the MNLPS will have a volunteer on the running plate cleaning '28 as she goes along.