Exeter Depot loses one of its own

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you, Phil, and welcome to the forum.

[Stewart Higham]

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.

[gaf71]

I'm really sorry that I can't get to Crewe for the funeral tomorrow, but my thoughts will be will be with all of Alisons' family and friends..I hope all goes as well as it can on days like these, and i'll have my own period of silence just after 1400 to pay my respects to Alison. R.I.P.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hi, Stewart: welcome to the forum, and thank you for adding your comments.

[Stuart]

I would just like to add how surprised but not totally shocked I was that 17 people travelled all the way up from Exeter for the funeral last week. It probably takes a remarkable person to generate that ammount of feeling in such a short space of time.

I personally only had to travel the short distance from Manchester, but it was noticable that all the depots that Alison had worked at were represented.

I can not speak for the family but I would imagine that although it maybe is not significant at the moment, maybe in the months and years to come, the thought that so many people made such an effort to show their respects, despite living so far away would be a small reminder to them, what a wonderful person Alison was.

[TerminalJunkie]

The driver has been jailed for nine years for causing death by dangerous driving:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8022132.stm

[gaf71]

The driver has been jailed for nine years for causing death by dangerous driving:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8022132.stm

Not long enough in my opinion. Should rot in jail for the rest of his life.

[Ollie]

Spotted this article from late September

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Appeal-killer-driver-rejected/article-1380061-detail/article.html