RIP Ronald Cotton 1931 - 2020

Diplodicus · 26 Jan 2020

Remember with thanks Ron Cotton, the man who more than any others saved the Settle and Carlisle. A true railway maverick. You can read his obituary in today's Daily Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituar...ay-manager-saved-scenic-settle-carlisle-line/

Ron Cotton, who has died aged 88, was an enterprising British Rail manager who, tasked with preparing the scenic Settle & Carlisle route for closure, transformed its fortunes to such an extent that, following a powerful local campaign to save it, the line won a reprieve in 1990 facilitated by the transport minister Michael Portillo....

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sprinterguy · 28 Jan 2020

Yes I was saddened to hear of his passing. An innovative and forward thinking BR manager who brought the S&C back from the brink despite being initially employed as BR's "hatchet man" to close the route. He did a lot of good.

yorksrob · 28 Jan 2020

How lucky we regular S&C passengers are to have had a manager who kept an open mind. It could so easily have turned out differently with the wrong person.

I'm sure I read that earlier in his career he was instrumental in bringing in the Tadpole units that helped to save passenger services between Tonbridge and Reading as well.

Fisherman80 · 30 Jan 2020

RIP Ron Cotton. Only just found out now. What's strange is I'm making a journey today (Settle-Carlisle) and I really do think he should get a hell of a lot more credit than he deserves. As the above post says,if it was a different person sent in to close the railway,I may have had to take an alternative route from Carlisle to Bingley later today.

70014IronDuke · 30 Jan 2020

The "Ron Cotton Remembrance Express" anyone?

yorksrob · 30 Jan 2020

Perhaps they could name a train after him. Preferably one likely to travel on the S&C.

RIP Ronald Cotton 1931 - 2020

Diplodicus

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sprinterguy

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yorksrob

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Fisherman80

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70014IronDuke

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yorksrob

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