Peter Townend - A life remembered (1925-2023)
Green Signals11 Joulu 2023

Peter Townend - A life remembered (1925-2023)

In this special extra episode of Green Signals, we remember the life of rail elder statesman Peter Norman Townend who died on October 18th at the grand old age of 98.

A railwayman whose career began in 1941 at the age of 16, as a premium apprentice for the London & North Eastern Railway at Doncaster ‘Plant’ – as its headquarters was known locally – Peter was undoubtedly best-known for his time as Shedmaster at ‘Top Shed’ at London’s King’s Cross during the last great days of steam, in the later 1950s and early 1960s.

Peter's is a legendary name to many on and around the railway. After steam went, he served the emerging modern industry with distinction too, as the King’s Cross Divisional Traction & Rolling Stock Engineer and took early retirement in 1984.

To the end of his days, Peter acted as a unique adviser to organisations including the National Railway Museum and the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, during its audacious building of Tornado. No-one understood the Gresley ‘Pacific’ in particular like Peter Townend. In his days at King’s Cross, he had a squadron of 40 ‘Pacifics’ in his care.

Presenters Nigel Harris and Stef Foster are joined by Tony Streeter (Associate Editor, Trackside magazine), Steve Davies (Former Director of the National Railway Museum), and Mark Townend (Peter's son).

Jaksot(213)

134. Exclusive - Sacked from DfTO Chris Gibb interview

134. Exclusive - Sacked from DfTO Chris Gibb interview

The sacking of an experienced railwayman from DfT Operator…Chris Gibb gives Green Signals an exclusive interviewBreaking news that Blackpool’s Tramtown has been closed ‘permanently’Shock, horror! Rich...

30 Huhti 1h 5min

Inside a Railway Research Lab! We go behind the scenes at the University of Southampton

Inside a Railway Research Lab! We go behind the scenes at the University of Southampton

Britain has a proud history of advanced railway research. It was British Rail who conceived the hugely successful High Speed Train. The BR Research Centre then came up with the brilliant tilting train...

29 Huhti 40min

Reflections of a Rail Regulator - John Larkinson, outgoing CEO of the Office of Rail and Road

Reflections of a Rail Regulator - John Larkinson, outgoing CEO of the Office of Rail and Road

Few railway organisations have witnessed as much change in their role and structure over the past 30 years as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This, despite being a constant feature of the landscape...

28 Huhti 58min

133. 1 Trespasser. 426 Trains delayed. 10k+ Passengers stranded - What happened?

133. 1 Trespasser. 426 Trains delayed. 10k+ Passengers stranded - What happened?

A single trespasser on the East Coast Main Line causes 426 trains to be delayed and tens of thousands of passengers to be stranded. So, what happened?Will Leeds ever get its trams? A leaked report rai...

23 Huhti 1h 1min

Does he have the biggest job on the railway? Network Rail’s CEO Jeremy Westlake is in the hot seat

Does he have the biggest job on the railway? Network Rail’s CEO Jeremy Westlake is in the hot seat

Network Rail is pivotal to whether GBR is a success or not. The reality will always be that Network Rail, with its resources, people, assets and role drives pretty much whether the railway performs da...

21 Huhti 47min

132. Jacobite steam train: Has a deal been done? Or not?

132. Jacobite steam train: Has a deal been done? Or not?

Jacobite steam train – Has a deal finally been done to fit Central Door Locking? …Or hasn’t it? Mini Switzerland – is Swiss-style integrated transport coming to the UK? We speak to the man behind the ...

16 Huhti 1h 12min

Running the world’s largest integrated transport system – in conversation with Andy Lord

Running the world’s largest integrated transport system – in conversation with Andy Lord

It’s the biggest integrated transport undertaking in the world. So it follows that running it and being accountable for its day-to day operation, is one of the biggest jobs in world transport.For Andy...

14 Huhti 50min

131. Integrated Transport Strategy – Wishy-Washy Waffle? Or Sensible, Solid, Strategy?

131. Integrated Transport Strategy – Wishy-Washy Waffle? Or Sensible, Solid, Strategy?

A new Integrated Transport Strategy is launched, but is it all wishy-washy waffle, or a sensible, solid, strategy?We preview an interview with Transport for London Commissioner Andy LordAnd, we have n...

9 Huhti 56min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
rss-podme-livebox
aihe
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa
viisupodi
rss-pinnalla
the-ulkopolitist
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-asiastudio
radio-antro
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
otetaan-yhdet
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit