Toby Watkins

Chairman

 

A serving RAF officer for 20 years, Toby has extensive experience with project management of large infrastructure projects such as the new £3.5m Air Traffic Control tower at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and the £14.5m taxiway resurfacing of RAF Waddington. As senior HR Manager for RAF Wittering he gained extensive experience in community development and engagement. He has been an active railway volunteer for over 20 years and also has an academic background in history (MA) and heritage conservation (MSc).

 

 

Julian Birley

Trustee

 

A professional businessman for 30 years, Julian has established a successful chain of London estate agents. He has been the leading fundraiser for (and director of) the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) since 2001; he has raised more than £1.5m for projects, including through three successful Heritage Lottery Fund applications. He oversaw the HLF funded restoration of the unique set of surviving ‘Quad-Art’ suburban coaches and led successful campaign and fundraising to re-link the NNR to the national network in 2010. He was awarded the Transport Trust ‘Preservationist of the Year’ award in 2002.

 

 

Mike Thompson

Trustee

 

Mike was a university lecturer until he took early retirement in 2009. Having  purchased Peckett 0-4-0ST locomotive No. 2084 in 1986, he carried out a full restoration and returned it to steam in 1999. A second locomotive, Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST No. 68009, is under restoration. He is Chairman of the Kirkby Stephen East railway restoration project, which has raised £500,000 in grant in aid since 2000, and prior to this he was a support crew member for LNER ‘A4’ No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and LMS ‘Black Five’ No. 44871.

 

 

Paul Jarman

Trustee

 

Paul has been the Transport Curator at Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum, for six years, prior to which he was an insurance brokerage/compliance professional. He has been an active railway volunteer for over ten years, working in both railway operations in numerous roles including driver, fireman, guard, signalman and shunter, and has also undertaken a great deal of restoration and maintenance work. Paul headed up the successful HLF application to restore the steam locomotive Coffeepot.

 

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