It is with great sadness that the GCR Rolling Stock Trust Directors must announce the sudden death, at home, of their Chairman Mr Richard Tilden Smith on Tuesday 10th January 2023, aged 83.
Richard was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, a great visionary, and a major influence in the Heritage Railway world. But he was also an extremely private person who kept his private life and a variety of interests in tight compartments, shunning personal publicity when and wherever possible. Thus, much of his amazing activities and achievements will go unrecorded.
We know one of his great passions was centred around Railways and Railway Heritage, in particular, the original Great Central and the rescued two sections between Leicester and Ruddington, Notts.
At that time, he lived in Warwickshire and, for him, it was only a short car hop to Ruddington, where he spent over 25 years helping to shape and develop the northern section of the former GCR running between Loughborough and the decommissioned Ordnance factory site at Ruddington.
One of his legacies was the creation of the ‘GCR Rolling Stock Trust’ in 2000, specifically set up as a stand-alone company to rescue and ultimately restore to working condition, an 8-vehicle collection of former GC Railway carriages spanning the period from 1888 to 1910 – the original Victorian MS&LR through to Edwardian GCR and its London extension.
He was a man of great vision with a raft of ideas and interests, a great spokesman who championed many causes and a generous benefactor, especially to the GCR Rolling Stock Trust.
Richard remained as its chairman throughout, encouraging and inspiring a large number of like-minded colleagues to contribute financially and supply their valuable work expertise and time to expand and develop his projects.
Richard never sought the limelight for himself but, being a keen photographer, enjoyed recording and using his journalistic skills to promote their achievements and when he thought appropriate to highlight failures in the system.
It is beyond doubt that he was a workaholic, and this was demonstrated right up to his final farewell on Tuesday evening, 10th January 2023 – having that same afternoon planted some flowers for friend Jackie, and had at least three lengthy discussions with RST colleagues over the telephone about the fund-raising campaign currently underway to finance seating for GCR ‘Barnum’ Carriage No.228 and voice his concerns over the future of the Heritage Railway Centre at Ruddington.
It is now up to us to carry on with what he has created, seeking the very necessary funding, and delivering on his vision of a rake of restored GC carriages traversing once again the 18 miles of metals between Leicester North Station, over the new viaduct at Loughborough, and on to Ruddington Fields Station at the Heritage Centre.
Richard’s body will be privately cremated as soon as sanctioned. Followed by a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’, Celebrating Richard’s life, to be held later in the spring at All Saints Parish Church, Church Road, Mountfield. East Sussex. TN32 5JS followed by the internment of his ashes in the graveyard, with refreshments afterwards in the village hall. – All are welcome.
Full details to be circulated nearer the date on request from Roger Penson, GCR-RST Trustee roger.penson@outlook.com .
24th July 2019 RTS meets HRH Richard – Duke of Gloucester on his visit to Nunckley Hill Museum and MS&LR No.946 (Photo B Price)
11th November 2015 – No.946 is dedicated at Ruddington to the 436 victims of The Royal Scots Regiment killed and maimed in the Quintinshill rail disaster of 22nd May 1915 (RST
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