A RAILWAY enthusiast has stepped down as chairman of a partnership that promotes and advises on community rail services.

Hollie-Rae Merrick

A RAILWAY enthusiast has stepped down as chairman of a partnership that promotes and advises on community rail services.

John Brodribb plans to retire in Devon after years of service to National Express as the chairman of the East Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.

Mr Brodribb's life-long interest in the railway began in Chelmsford, when as a schoolboy he watched the Britannia steam locomotives travel past him on his way to school.

After moving to Beccles in 1983, Mr Brodribb turned his attention to the East Suffolk Travellers Association and highlighted his love and knowledge of trains in An Illustrated History of the East Suffolk Railway - published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Halesworth, Beccles and Haddiscoe line in 2003.

Over the years, Mr Brodribb has served as a member of the Rail Passengers Committee for Eastern England and was later approached by Clive Morris, of National Express East Anglia, to chair the newly-formed East Suffolk Line Community Rail Partnership.

Mr Morris said: “John's commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none and he has contributed a great deal to community railways, especially in the Suffolk area.

“He will be much missed upon leaving Beccles, but we do wish him and his wife Wendy every happiness in their new life in Devon.”