I know that Alison would have been well made up with the messages of support and kindness.

Thanks for the info, I would like to contribute a little towards the fund, any chance I can paypal you or something?

Also, does anyone know when the service is? I would like to attend if possible.

I am still so shocked and saddened by her tragic death.

May I just say how deeply saddened I was to learn of the loss of one of the railway's true characters.

I first met Alison in October 2002, when I trained her in driver's rules at Crewe. She was one of those people you meet and never forget, she had an opinion on everything under the sun and once her mind was made up it was hard to move it. However this stubbornness was countered with a very very fine sense of humour and it helped to make that 6 weeks as enjoyable as any time in Crewe can be.. I was "lucky" enough to have John (Jonesy) Jones (sadly also passed away) and Alison on the same course, and her love of bacon fries, together with John's acerbic wit are a very fond memory.

Devoted to the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and to the union movement in general, Alison took few prisoners and this either enraged or endeared her to those who met her. However, this "gobby Manc", ( a title she was proud of BTW^▸ (by the way)), was really a front, deep down she was far more vulnerable than she ever let on, fearing others would exploit this perceived weakness or think less of her.

She would stand up for those without a voice, including asylum seekers etc. Those who met her would know that she never gave her trust easily, which I put down to being hurt in the past. She never courted popularity or took the easy way out, instead believing that principles were far more important than popularity. This only made people like her more. 

She had an encylopic(?) knowledge of music and we often discussed the merits of Morrisey and the songs of the Paris Angels.

We used to exchange texts and phone calls quite often and she delighted in taking the P out of me as a Driver Manager, sparing no excuse to call me a typical "Cockney twat!", or "Tubs". She may be right about that by the way. I always enjoyed these chats, she had a great gift of self deprecation. Having said that, she rarely let anyone know how badly life's knocks had affected her.

In 2004, she had a fatality while based at Crewe, this affected her quite badly (as it so often does), I think it would be fair to say I don't think she saw eye to eye with the Counsellor!

In 2005, I found myself in Crewe again and had time for a cup of tea with her in the buffet, I never realised this would be the last time I saw her.

In late 2007, she asked me to help her by downloading an application form for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (I work for another TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)) and posting it to her, she then asked if I would give her a reference, which I was delighted to do, I like to think I can spot a good driver when I see one, and while she would never be the "Company Man Driver", I knew she would always be a damn safe one.

I spoke to BP^» (Beyond Petroleum (Former name - British Petroleum) - home page) at Exeter about Al, and he told me she was doing well.

I think Al was hoping to set a record on the length of time she could route learn "the Barney", but eventually they caught up with her and she signed up!

As a mother she always spoke proudly of her kids, moving heaven and earth to get them a laptop last Christmas, she was so proud of them and so determined to get them a better life, woe betide anyone who upset her kids. But if you had earned her friendship she would move heaven and earth for you.

She was so pleased when she finally passed her car driving test and bought that little red Honda Civic, ( I used to tease her about her consistent failure to pass). With her move to Exeter, she was finally getting her act together.

I was supposed to meet Al for a drink at Padd back in the spring but blew her out as I was too busy, if I knew then what I knew now I would never have downloaded that poxy form or acted as a reference. I can't help but feel guilty about it. When she asked if she should go through with the move? I said "yes, it will be a new start."

A few days after our aborted meet, she had a TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) activation and texted me, I was having a bad day at work and stupidly told her "did I really act as a reference for you?' I did not actually mean it the way I said it, but we never got the chance to really make it up, which I deeply regret.

So Alison, I can only imagine that right now your telling the big controller up there where he is going wrong and how to do it much better, it was a genuine pleasure to have known you and I think the world is a much poorer place without your irrepressible desire to improve it. I am sure that the sister and mother you spoke so fondly of will ensure that your kids are brought up well, those of us who were lucky enough to meet you will never forget you.

I am still shocked that a person with so much to give had her life tragically cut short in such a bizarre way, I always said you was bloody unlucky!

Hopefully someone at Exeter or Crewe will start a fund for her kids, so we can at least ensure they have can have a slightly happy Christmas.

If anyone can post details of a collection and details of the service etc, please forward them to charlieDOTcrokerATgmailDOTcom

Rest In Peace Alison Langton.
Regards

Mick S.