Captain W G (Bill) Smith VRD, RNVR is not a name that many people outside the world of railway preservation have heard of. But Bill, an important railway pioneer, is memorialised in two locomotives and a set of nameplates, one of which now forms part of the National Collection thanks to a donation by a member of the Friends of the National Railway Museum.
So what did he do?
© National Railway Museum / SSPL
In 1959, the drive to ‘modernise’ Britain was sweeping all before it, including railway steam locomotives. One of the threatened locomotives was the “Top Shed” pilot, Class J52 No 68846, at Kings Cross, London. Designed by H A Ivatt for shunting and general freight work and built by Sharp Stewart & Company in Glasgow in 1899, it was due for the scrap yard.
For many years its role was to push and pull its big sisters such as the A3s and A4s that were not in steam around the shed yard at King’s Cross.
However, rather than allow this little engine to disappear into the scrap furnace of history, Captain Smith did something unheard of, he bought it. This was the first mainline locomotive to be bought by an individual for preservation and it made many people sit up and take notice – including Alan Pegler who later bought 60103 Flying Scotsman.
Bill had the locomotive repainted into Great Northern Railway livery with its original number 1247. He always spoke of her as “the Old Lady”.
In 1980 Bill found the cost of operating 1247 was getting beyond his means so he donated it to the National Railway Museum – the first donation of an operating standard gauge locomotive to our Museum. In recognition, Bill was made the first Honorary Life Member of the Friends of the National Railway Museum.
In 1993 British Railways named a Class 33 diesel locomotive after Bill – 33109, which is preserved and on the East Lancs Railway. The photo shows Bill beside the loco with the main nameplate and the supplementary plate which tells the story of 1247.
Bill’s initiative showed what could be done. The heritage railways movement took heart from this simple, yet groundbreaking act. David Shepherd bought two locomotives including 92203 “Black Prince” for preservation. From these early actions a heritage sector now worth over £250 million to the UK economy has been built up.
© National Railway Museum / SSPL
It is a strange irony that the locomotive that carries the other two nameplates is a class 33-diesel locomotive, the face of 1950’s railway modernisation.
© National Railway Museum / SSPL
1247, known as the Old Lady, is still a star of rail preservation and part of the National Collection. It or should I say she, is on display in our Station Hall.
Aww lovely story, why not make a little loco work maybe just once, she deserves to be out again. Maybe on an anniversary of her being withdrawn and bought or something?
Why do you refer to Captain Bill Smith RNVR when the loco nameplate states RNR – they’re not the same thing at all? RNRs were mainly experienced, skilled merchant seamen, whereas RNVRs were ‘weekend sailors’ who had experience in sailing small boats.
The RNVR and RNR (as they were in WWII) were amalgamated as the RNR in 1958, when the two different types of ‘wavy’ rank rings worn by reserve officers were done away with and all officers, regular and reserve, wore straight rings. I assume Captain Bill was still serving in 1958, hence the change.
I would like to know about Captain Bill Smith RNVR and his naval career
Captain Bill Smith RNR was the last loco to run to Weymouth on the tramway. Interesting YouTube video of the event.
I knew Captain Bill Smith. I nicer, more generous man I have never met. He had a variety of interests including Notts. Co FC, which would give him grief nowadays, and he loved railways. There is a book that Bill wrote on this loco and its purchase which may be found in the second hand section of railway book shops.
Bill Smith RNR was also a Vice President of Bedford Town Football Club and dedicated a great deal of his time to club activities. The club now has a garden of remembrance and only fit that Bill should be remembered there. Does anyone know how I can contact his former wife Judy, feel sure she would agree to a plaque.
Alan Thomas
Bedford Town Football Club
Hi David,
I’m one of his many grandsons. I’d be happy to put you in touch with Judy (now Judy Fawcett) who still lives at the same address. Alternatively I, or my father Andrew, would be happy to give permission for the plaque.
Best,
Matthew
P.S. What luck that I happened to be scrolling the comments here!
Hi Alan,
I’m Matthew, one of Bill’s grandsons, I would be happy to give permission for a plaque as would Andy (one of Bill’s sons). Alternatively, I can put you in contact with Judy (now Judy Fawcett) if that would be preferable.
Best,
Matthew
07794521404
smith.matthew.alex@gmail.com