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45231/Bert Hitchen

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 61624, May 13, 2015.

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  1. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    It has been reported on the NYMR Volunteers FB page that Bert Hitchen has passed away, which is sad news. 45231 had been on the market for quite some time, but one would imagine that there will now be an increased urgency to sell it as part of the process of sorting out his estate.
     
    61624, May 13, 2015
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  2. Bramblewick

    Bramblewick Member

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    Very sad. Lovely man. Didn't he also own the other Furness Railway 0-4-0?
     
    Bramblewick, May 13, 2015
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  3. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    Haven't heard anything about the Furness loco since he bought it - can anyone give an update?
     
    61624, May 13, 2015
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  4. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Very sad news. Have had some good runs behind his locos over the years. RIP.
     
    Spamcan81, May 13, 2015
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  5. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    26D_M, May 13, 2015
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    green five and Jamessquared like this.
  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Well, you learn something every day. I knew of Bert Hitchen the cyclist, and Bert Hitchen the railwayman, and never connected the two.

    RIP.

    Tom
     
    Jamessquared, May 13, 2015
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  7. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    RIP
     
    Martin Perry, May 13, 2015
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  8. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Poignancy too in the fact he passed in the week 34027 is recommissioned.
     
    26D_M, May 13, 2015
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  9. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

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    Very Sad ! A wonderful man that loved steam !
     
    sgthompson, May 13, 2015
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  10. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    Such a character, but also a great engineer and an inspiration to those working with him. I am sure just from the bits I know that his life story would make a great movie!

    I have great memories of a run behind 34027 after dark at am SVR gala - a couple of us from the Moors were stood with Bert in the end vestibule next to the loco, cinders bouncing off the roof, big broad grin on Bert's face.

    RIP Bert.

    Steven
     
    Bean-counter, May 13, 2015
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  11. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Very sad news. RIP Bert.

    He appears in this great programme about 34027:
     
    green five, May 13, 2015
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  12. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Watched my DVD of that a few weeks ago sad to hear he's no longer with us. RIP Bert.
     
    Dan Hill, May 13, 2015
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  13. fish7373

    fish7373 Member

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    RIP Bert from the southall days FISH7373 81C
     
    fish7373, May 14, 2015
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  14. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    I'm not normally a fan of anything other than lamps or discs on the front of a steam loco, but in this instance, if 34027 were to carry a wreath on the smokebox when it hauls the British Pullman train special along the SVR on Saturday, it would be a most appropriate gesture.
     
    John Petley, May 14, 2015
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    oddsocks and ghost like this.
  15. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I never put two and two together and realised they were one and the same gentleman - remarkable indeed, thoughts are with his family and friends.
     
    GWR4707, May 14, 2015
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  16. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    I agree wholeheartedly with that. Bert was a doyen of the privateering loco owner style that has been followed by many since and a debt of gratitude is owed to him for pioneering many of the things we take for granted now. His ability to keep the show on the road became legendary.
     
    26D_M, May 14, 2015
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  17. collet1930

    collet1930 New Member

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    RIP Mr Hitchen was a privelage to have spoken to you many times in the Taw valley days around Kent.
     
    collet1930, May 14, 2015
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  18. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    Taw Valley running today with a wreath on the smokebox door.

    Loaded runs continue on the SVR in preparation for Saturday.
     
    46118, May 14, 2015
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  19. Jeff Albiston

    Jeff Albiston Member

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    R.I.P Bert Hitchen.
     
    Jeff Albiston, May 14, 2015
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  20. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I hadn't seen Bert for years but only the other week, a voice behind me said 'Is that Steve' and I turned round to find him there. Time for a few reminiscences before we went our separate ways. Hard to believe he's now passed away. R.I.P. Bert.
     
    Steve, May 14, 2015
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