The RST Trustees are as follows:
Roger Penson – Chairman – 2023
Roger took over as active Chairman in 2023 following the demise of the much loved and respected Richard Tilden-Smith (pictured far right above). Roger specialises in fabric design, manufacture and use. He is a key member leading research into the Barnum restoration programmes and planning of finishings. He is also the lead in upholstery operations with 20 years’ experience in Antique Furniture restoration, including running his own business and teaching age ranges from young adults to mature students; then 30 years’ experience in management development – working with Senior Management (level 5) to shop floor staff, focusing on effective process and quality management skills’ development, both in UK and abroad. He is also much concerned with skills’ development in the workforce, and in planning for the future, including the transfer of skills to younger workers, and that new skills are identified and developed. Past-chairman of a regional group supporting a national Charity.
Photo: Roger Penson (right)
Mike Lang – Trustee – 2018
Mike joined the Trust in 2018 after serving as a long-term volunteer at Great Central Railway, heading up their Carriage & Wagon department. We welcomed Mike with open arms to the Rolling Stock Trust; his knowledge of railway vehicle restoration is second to none! He is very much a hands-on restoration specialist, and is determined that the Trust has both Restoration workshop and Storage shed to provide maximum cover. Mike and his family own later period Gresley passenger carriages.
Photo: Mike Lang (middle, black tie)
Arthur Barber – Trustee – 2002
Formerly employed on British Rail as locomotive crew (King’s Cross and Colwick….) and latterly as field staff member with British Telecom. Passed Locomotive Fireman and Driver, steam and diesel with Great Central Railway (Nottingham) (GCRN). Founder member of the Great Central Railway Northern Development Association, predecessor of GCRN and past President of Heritage Centre Model Railway Society. Fund raiser and team organiser of site events at the Centre and Carriage restoration, especially BR Mk 1 carriages, and facilities maintenance.
Photo: Arthur Barber (Left)
Mike Firth – Treasurer and Company Secretary – 2010
Chartered Accountant. Formerly with Boots the Chemist. East Midlands Railway Trust (EMRT) Trustee and Treasurer, former GCRN company secretary and leading Committee Member of the Nottingham Society of Miniature and Experimental Engineers (NSMEE) at Ruddington.
Andrew Horrocks-Taylor – Trustee – 2012
Qualified Engineer and Marketing specialist in aerospace employment. He is the lead in GCR 567 Locomotive Group and also aids the preservation of Trust’s exterior stored vehicles. His increasingly close co-operation between the 567 Locomotive Group and our Trust is with an aim to produce a Class 2 4-40 of the late Victorian period to create the GCR mainline experience for 2025, with locomotive No.567, and Barnum’s No.228 & No. 695 working as a complete rake.
Photo: Andrew David (2nd row left), Mike Firth (front row left), Andrew Horrocks-Taylor (back row, 3rd from right)
John Quick – Trustee – 2012
Retired Analytical Chemist. Has had an interest in railways for well over 60 years and was a keen train-spotter at an early age with interest in the former GCR beginning in 1960, deciding then to build scale models of GCR subjects to an increasingly high standard. Over the years several layouts, based on GCR prototypes, have been exhibited many times. As a GCR modeller and historian, first published in 2013 title featuring liveries applied to GCR locomotives, now researching a history of GCR passenger carriages. Sought-after presenter of illustrated talks and lectures to railway and local history societies. Former Chairman – Great Central Railway Society. Key adviser on GCR historical accuracy and carriage liveries.
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