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Porthmadog
Journal 118 (WWW Edition)
It is with considerable sadness that the death, at the early age of 57, of Bob MacGregor is reported. Bob was a lifelong railway and canal enthusiast, who trained as a signal engineer but who acquired considerable knowledge and interests beyond that discipline. So far as the Welsh Highland is concerned, Bob was associated in recent years rather more with TCL, but his involvement with this company predates the schism that developed with those various former directors of the Welsh Highland. At one time Bob was operating his own business from Gelert's Farm, acted as caretaker, and owned one of the Bagnall steam locomotives. (Which he specifically wished to be named 'Moel Tryfan' as part of the user agreement.) In addition to the above, he helped out on the operation of the railway and was a passed driver. The fact that he was also the Festiniog Railway's signal engineer at the time (he held that post for 18 years) should indicate that relations were rather more relaxed in those days. Bob was well known to all regulars and also acquired the task of looking after the company cat, a somewhat war marked tom who, as Bob put it "arrived one day and demanded to be fed". The newly appointed moggie was given the apposite name of Fishplate, (geddit?!), his own (heated) quarters in the old carriage shed, and proceeded to studiously ignore all except the provider of his nosh. This relationship continued up to the eventual demise of the cat, despite a visit to the local vet to arrange his "conversion from an 0-4-2 to an 0-4-0".
As an employee and a former volunteer on the Festiniog Railway,(not to mention husband of their General Manager's Assistant), Bob was well placed to advise on that Company's philosophy. The writer had some interesting conversations with him on that subject, but the information thus gained was not always overtly useful, insofar that the message was basically that they did things their way, and everyone else was expected to fall in line with them. He became progressively attracted to the concept of reconstructing the old Welsh Highland Company and for a while attempted to broker a rapprochement between the company and TCL. He always maintained that their involvement in their chosen route was not for reasons of personal aggrandisement, albeit without the benefit of personal knowledge of the events in the Boardroom, prior to the split. As events turned out, he also had considerable involvement in the F.R. moving in on the act, a role unfortunately guaranteed not to endear him to many members of this company. His involvement with this company was wound down as he moved out of the Farm and sold his loco to John Hummel, with whom he was later to join in a somewhat different business venture. His involvement with TCL was increased and he became a director of that organisation, a situation which placed him in the 'persona non grata' category for many at the farm. His normal work took him away from the area for long periods, however, particularly when he obtained the job of Signal Engineer on the Hi-Tec Docklands Light Railway in London. He later joined John Hummel in what became RMS loco Tech.
On most unfortunately being diagnosed as having terminal cancer, Bob returned to Wales, and his home in Penrhyndeudraeth, full time. He was fully intending to resume his involvement with our company as signalling consultant, whilst time permitted. It was unfortunately necessary to turn down his offer of help, when it became obvious that passions were still rather too high to make this a good idea. A particularly unfortunate side effect of a dispute that has, as they say, run and run. Bob will be especially missed as an affable, and ever cheerful person, with whom it was perfectly possible to have a civilised exchange of views without any animosity. He was as enthusiastic about the concept of a rebuilt Welsh Highland as anyone could be, even if his chosen path was not favoured by all in this company. His widow Pat and family have our sincerest condolences.
