dibber25 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I understand that Richard 'Dick' Hardy, one time Shedmaster at Stewarts Lane and well known for his many magazine articles about locomotive operating and his many railwaymen colleagues, has passed away at the age of 94. (CJL) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 An incalculable loss. He was a great raconteur and has left some informative and entertaining writings. RIP Mr Hardy. Chris 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Indge Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Many years ago I wrote to Mr. Hardy asking for help on the disc codes and colours used by Stratford based locos. I had a lovely letter back from him with all the information I needed to photocopy, all he asked was could I keep them tidy before returning the originals. I thought this a lovely gesture. His “Steam In The Blood” book is one of my favourites. This is a true loss to all steam enthusiasts. RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted February 20, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2018 Very sad news I met him at a mainline steam gathering in Derby in 2014 lovely bloke RIP Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 That is very sad news. His accounts of his experiences at various loco sheds were both fascinating and entertaining. He is (was) the same age as my Dad (who is still with us), and although we didn't know him we used to see him occasionally when I took my father to one of his favourite haunts of the North Norfolk Railway. Heaven's loco crews will have to be on their toes from now on.... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieB Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Giants of steam. RIP Dick Hardy. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted February 21, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 21, 2018 A fine mentor to generations of young railway engineers. Dick also loved cricket almost as much as he loved railways. I will miss, but never forget, his unique, deep, almost gravelly voice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted February 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2018 Dick was something that has become extinct on the modern railway, a senior manager who had the complete respect of those under him 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PM47079 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Yes it's a rare commodity indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted February 23, 2018 Author Share Posted February 23, 2018 Dick was something that has become extinct on the modern railway, a senior manager who had the complete respect of those under him I think it was because of his willingness to understand them and appreciate where they were coming from, even if he didn't agree with it. He also had that great personal asset (which I wish I'd had) of being able to remember the names, faces, quirks and character of all the men who worked for and with him). I spent a memorable day with Dick, at his home in Hertfordshire, when we photographed him with his railwayana for 'My Favourite Things', a feature in Steam world magazine. Several of the photographs show him relaxing on a Great Central Railway chaise-longue drinking from a hip flask which was also of railway origin! After a conversation about Andre Chapelon, he gave me this Rivarossi Chapelon 'Pacific' which was in need of repair, but more significant than the model was the box in which it came, made for Dick in the carpenter's shop at New England shed. (CJL) 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pint of Adnams Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Dick was something that has become extinct on the modern railway, a senior manager who had the complete respect of those under him During his time as Divisional Manager at King's Cross he was my late father's 'guvnor' at GN House in the 1960s; Dad always spoke very highly of him (as he did of Gerry Fiennes). For a fan of the Great Eastern he was and will remain a legend. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 The latest issue of Steam Railway contains a fine tribute to RHNH comprising three pages of text and a full page portrait. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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