Sir Bob Reid (former BR chairman) dies.

[Ashley Hill]

I haven't seen it mentioned on the forum, but it has been reported that Sir Bob Reid sadly passed away today, aged 91. He was the chairman of British Rail from 1990 to 1995. I met him once, nice chap. RIP

Sir Bob Reid, who has died aged 91, chaired British Rail from 1990 to 1995 after a distinguished career with Shell.

Sir Bob Reid, visionary British Rail chief whose success could not stave off privatisation

Unflappable, Reid did not let the loss of his arm aged nine in his father’s butcher’s shop prevent him becoming a champion golfer

www.telegraph.co.uk

Sir Bob Reid, who has died aged 91, chaired British Rail from 1990 to 1995 after a distinguished career with Shell.

He oversaw the achievement of unprecedented levels of efficiency, but could not prevent John Major’s government privatising – and fragmenting – the network.

A visionary leader...

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Havn`t seen it mentioned on the forum but it has been reported that Sir Bob Reid sadly passed away today aged 91. he was the chairman of British Rail from 1990 to 1995. I met him once, nice chap. RIP

Not to be confused with his predecessor Sir Robert Reid, chairman of BRB 1983-90, and associated with the transformation of BR under the sectorisation business model.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Not to be confused with his predecessor Sir Robert Reid, chairman of BRB 1983-90, and associated with the transformation of BR under the sectorisation business model.

Who sadly passed away in 1993.

 

[MadMac]

Which one was the one-armed one? One of my colleagues met him and made to shake the wrong hand…..

 

[Bishopstone]

Which one was the one-armed one? One of my colleagues met him and made to shake the wrong hand…..

Sir Bob Reid. Lost his right hand in a meat mincer as a child, but became an accomplished left-handed golfer.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Met both Sir Bob's and of course Sir Peter Parker in my "career" - all gentlemen IMHO , Sir Peter especially so.

(of course , one had to be prepared for questioning on these occassions , which was no problem if you had done your homework and were totally honest !)

91 is a very good age ! - RIP

 

[yorksrob]

As a young person, when I saw him interviewed on television, he presented a positive and enthusiastic vision of British Rail that gave me confidence in the railway as a great good that would always be with us.

He was a believer in reopenings - Alloa - Stirling was one he was very vocal about.

A Great Chairman.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

As a young person, when I saw him interviewed on television, he presented a positive and enthusiastic vision of British Rail that gave me confidence in the railway as a great good that would always be with us.

To be fair , all of the three Chairmen I have mentioned were stamped with those attributes IMHO.

As were some of the General Managers - I can recall as a young person getting stuck in (which one could do in those days) , and helping out in problems on an operatitional basis (not really part of my job ! , (I had the experiece thanks to the training I had received) but it was very much noticed , on 2 occassions when they were around , and being very much thanked personally for helping keeping the trains and more importantly passengers moving.

Really need to write some of this up. Said it before , but I ought to.

 

[Mugby]

As were some of the General Managers - I can recall as a young person getting stuck in (which one could do in those days) , and helping out in problems on an operatitional basis (not really part of my job ! , (I had the experiece thanks to the training I had received) but it was very much noticed , on 2 occassions when they were around , and being very much thanked personally for helping keeping the trains and more importantly passengers moving.

KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING was the mantra of British Rail and Sir Bob Reid was a great exponent of that. He was a good man, I know that because I was there from 1979 until the end of BR in 1996. He also produced a better model for privatisation than the mess which John Major settled for but sadly it never really stood a chance.
GBR needs a Chairman of the caliber of Sir Bob - if there are any still around!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Great age and great career. Sounds like a man who had a well fulfilled life.

Always sad to hear of a passing, may he rest peacefully

 

[BlueLeanie]

Which one was the one-armed one? One of my colleagues met him and made to shake the wrong hand…..

He was used to that and just flipped his left hand round to shake. Pretty good swimmer too.

 

[D6130]

GBR needs a Chairman of the caliber of Sir Bob - if there are any still around!

Chris Green?....still around, but now enjoying a well-earned retirement, I believe.