The Talyllyn Railway has paid tribute to long-time secretary, president and vice-president, Richard Hope who has died at the age of 85.

Richard was also editor of the Railway Gazette for many years and made frequent television appearances to comment on railway matters, died on 14 October.

Richard joined the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1955 and volunteered for outdoor work until ill-health prevented him a few years ago.

He was a member of the council of the preservation society from 1960 to 2002 acting as company and society secretary for 30 years from 1966 to 1996.

Between 1996 and 2011 he was a director of the railway company and also held the office of president from 2006 to 2014.

Richard and his wife Audrey had two children, Colin and Caroline.

They enjoyed walking and did many long distance walks over the years including an annual visit to Scotland. Sadly Audrey died in 2016 and in recent years Richard suffered from ill-health which increasingly restricted his activities.

Paying tribute to Richard, chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society Council, Ian Drummond, said: “With the death of Richard the railway has lost another great servant.

“He and his wife Audrey put in a huge amount of time and effort in support of the line over the years and his contribution to the success of the railway cannot be measured.

“My first memory of Richard came on a dark night in 1977.

“We were engaged in an overnight track-laying session at Rhydyronen and as a young volunteer I was charged with holding track-spikes while Richard wielded a sledgehammer. Fortunately his prowess with the hammer matched his talents elsewhere and the work was done swiftly and without incident.

“Richard was always approachable, kind and thoughtful, his advice was often sought after his retirement from official roles and he gave of himself to the railway selflessly.

“Our thoughts are with Colin and Caroline and all the family. He will be missed by many.”