Keith Catchpole

[odc]

I have just heard that a former welcome figure from the Chingford society of model engineers, Keith Catchpol, died yesterday aged 87.

He was well know, not only for his model locomotives, but for his veteren gramaphones and lectures on the Ffestiniog Railway, where he was a vollunteer driver in early preservation days and was a pioneer of involveing groups of youths.

My last recolection of him was of being cogoled to drive his Cramoretype Pecket around the North London track in Junelast year. Getting off and flapping his arms as if they were wings with a huge smile and then relaxingwith me for a drink and telling me how it was he who taught the current FR general manager to drive engines.

A very sad loss.

[waggy]

May he rest in peace.

Didn't know the man but he reminds me very much of my late friend and mentor Fred Barnes. No doubt a "rumm'n" as they say!

Waggy

[mott]

Keith was due to speak to Colchester SMEE in a few days time about his experiences with "rail borne 2nd World War Artillery" which he had served on during the war. When I rang him to confirm the speakers slot which he was scheduled to fill, he told me he was seriously ill and could not make the journey. The last time I spoke to him at any length was when Colchester SMEE visited Chingford last summer when we did an afternoon of public running and he reminisced then of seeing the various locos there in full sized form in the 50's and 60's.Though somewhat infirm he had a very good memory and was still contributing to the running of his Society as training officer to the younger members,
Keith will be greatly missed and we shall be sad not to see him again down here at Colchester SMEE. We offer condolences to his family and friends and the Chingford Society.
Mott