Jon Barlow Retires from Footplate Duties at Didcot Railway Centre
A familiar face on the footplate at the living Great Western Railway museum has stepped down from his driving duties. Jon Barlow, a founder member of the Great Western Society and aged 73¾, completed his final driving turn aboard locomotive No 4144. His retirement from active driving marks the end of an era, complete with his traditional billy can of tea kept warm near the firehole door during his last run.
From a Typewritten Letter to a Multi-Million Pound Heritage Site
Jon’s journey with the heritage centre began decades ago in 1961, when he was just one of four 16-year-old schoolboys. Armed with a typewriter—which he alone had access to—Jon penned the historic letter proposing the preservation of a Great Western Railway 14xx class tank locomotive. Published in The Railway Magazine, that initial outreach, launched for the price of a single threepenny stamp, sparked donations that eventually secured the locomotive's purchase.
The successful preservation effort grew into the thriving organization that operates today, preserving the legacy of the Great Western Railway during a period when the brand was largely being phased out by British Railways.
Continuing Leadership at the Museum
Although his footplate days have concluded, Jon's involvement with the site remains active. Following his election as a Director of the Great Western Society at its Annual General Meeting, he will continue to contribute his experience and perspective to the governance of the organisation.
Visitors exploring the historic engines, reconstructed stations, and operational lines can discover more about the heritage of this living museum through Musemap (musemap.art). To plan your visit or see what else is happening locally, you can browse the museum guide or check upcoming exhibitions.
