I was on a night shift at Piccadilly when I heard the shocking news. It was Monday 20th October 1997 when we first met. We were starting out first day on the railway, in the RO2 grade at Manchester Piccadilly, each the other half of the link position known as 'Eastern Scrubber'!

We were to clean the Cardiff services when they arrived, before despatching them and helping passengers with any enquiries. Alison was great, she always had time for anyone who needed help, and got on with just about anyone she met. I remember her reluctance to learn how to drive and operate the tractor unit and browser, which was used to tank the toilets on the Welsh services. Alison dragged out the training for quite a while, and even when qualified to operate it, was still reluctant to do so.

We continued working together until April 1999, when I transferred to the conductor grade for Northern Spirit. I still kept in contact with Alison though, as we often bumped into each other. During 2003, I started training as a driver. Bumping into Alison again, she told me that she was also in driver training, something which amused me, considering how she had been with the tractor unit! Alison was about two months ahead of me, and it was nice to compare notes with her.

It was even nicer to be in Cardiff, waiting for a train to Crewe, and find that a now passed Alison was the driver on the train I was to catch. The last time we met was at Piccadilly, appropriate considering that we first met there. She was slagging off Class 175's saying she preferred 158's, and I agreed, saying that I liked them much more than a Class 185.

I feel privileged to have known Alison, and miss her very much. She always asked how my wife was when we met, and even though they only met a couple of times, Alison made a lasting impression on her. But of course that was how Alison was. She was such a fantastic person.

So sorry we can't get to the funeral. We are thinking of you always. Rest in peace.

Stewart & Pauline Higham.