Suddenly, in the early hours of Sunday 23rd May 1999, Alastair Lamberton, well known volunteer at Groudle and lifetime supporter of the railway, died, aged 55.

Born in Southport in April 1944, after leaving school Alastair had a five-year apprenticeship with T. & J. Harrison of Liverpool. In the late 1960s, after completing his apprenticeship he went on to work for Courtaulds in Liverpool and later went into the textile industry in Maryport, Cumbria.  His love of the Isle of Man and particularly the railway resulted in his coming to live in the island and was employed by Lord Ailsa for two years leaving in 1972 and returning “deep sea” for a shipping company Larrinarga. Christmas 1974 saw Alastair returning to the island securing a job as an engineer with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company working on such well-known ships as the Manxman, Lady Of Mann, Tynwald and King Orry.

During the early part of last year he was once of a team working on the Ben-My-Chree during its construction at Van Der Glessen De Noorrd, Rotterdam as Second Engineer when she made her first sailing to the island.  Her married Mary in 1965 and they both lived for a short time in Quarry Road, Laxey, before moving to Ramsey Road, Laxey in 1980. Alastair was well known for his engineering skills and was working on his own long-term project for a steam locomotive for Groudle. He was the main consultant over the restoration of Sea Lion during its time at the Apprentice Training Centre as Sellafield, Cumbria.

His calm and placid nature was well known to everyone particularly with those who worked with him at the Steam Packet earning him the nickname “Cemtex”. Our condolences are extended to his widow, Mary and sons Ian, Matty and Alex. The island, its railways and the many people who knew him at narrow gauge railways throughout Britain have lost a great supporter and for us we have lost a very true and valued friend.

Tony Beard