Very Sad News: A Tribute to Ken...

It is with great sadness that I must write that Ken, a good friend and the builder of "Achilles", passed away on Thursday night at the age of 91. Regular readers will know of my involvement with Ken over the years and it was his kindness and generosity that led to me eventually owning his beloved 5" gauge tank engine. Ken built the engine from scratch in the mid-1980s and spent 3 years in his home workshop doing so. The locomotive was completed by 1987 and Ken was in fact running the engine on the day that Coventry City won the FA Cup. I first became involved with Ken and the engine in 2009 and, despite mechanical faults, Ken was determined to keep her going. In 2011, Ken paid me the most generous gift: the ownership of his locomotive...

Since then, Ken continued to be a great help to me as I learnt the various trials and tribulations of steam locomotive ownership and their various needs. He was very supportive and was instrumental in encouraging me to delve further into the hobby. As a former tool-maker, Ken could turn his hand to almost anything engineering-wise and, even if something was readily available off the shelf, would relish the chance to have a go at making the component himself. No engineering obstacle was too great. Particularly in my younger years, his experience and unassuming nature were inspiring. Ken also continued to regularly come to the track when he knew "Achilles" would be out, as seen here in 2012 when Ed is seen on the regulator...

"Achilles, Ed and Ken" - 2012

Throughout the various repairs and overhauls that I've since carried out on "Achilles", Ken was always kept in touch and often gave good advice on things which I wasn't sure of. After the repaint of the engine, Ken came along to be reunited with her in steam in September 2014, the picture below later appearing on the cover of the CMES newsletter...

Outside of railways and model engineering, Ken was a keen musician and learnt the Saxophone and Clarinet during his 80's! There would be many a Steam Up afternoon where Ken would be playing his Sax to the enjoyment of onlookers and passing steam drivers. Also, "Achilles" wasn't the only engine Ken built. He also made a lovely 1.5" Allchin traction engine and a 3" Atkinson steam lorry. His final project was a 3.5" Heilan Lassie. Ken even came along to Shackerstone on one occasion back in 2011, enjoying his first ever footplate ride on a standard gauge locomotive in the form of GWR 3803. I am very sad to be writing this post and I believe that CMES has lost a very committed, kind and experienced member. To me, he was a very kind and generous friend and an individual who's can-do attitude was second to none. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and I am very sorry to be saying goodbye. Rest in Peace Ken.