Obituary : By Tony Beard

Extracted From Issue No.142

Manx Steam Railway News

Members will be saddened to learn of the sudden death of the railway’s long-serving locomotive superintendent Colin Goldsmith at Noble’s Hospital, Braddan on 2nd August. Colin’s popular and friendly approach to enthusiasts had been a feature of the workshops since 1978 when he began working for the newly nationalised railway, having served his apprenticeship as an electrician on the M.E.R. upon leaving school at 16.

Colin had a massive input to the many significant events tat took place on the railway during his time in service; his first major project was the return to service of No.12 in 1981 with the infamous square cab and blue livery. This was followed by a refurbished boiler for No.10 which re-entered service in readiness for the Year Of Railways sporting the dark green livery of the Railway Company. 

Colin will be particularly remembered for his valiant efforts in keeping the fleet of carriages and locomotives on the rails for many years and especially for overseeing the work which enabled No.4 to work on the M.E.R. between Laxey Station and The Dhoon in 1993 and 1994.

Then, just when you thought it couldn’t be topped, Cale was taken out of the railway museum and returned to service for the centenary celebrations of the mountain railway in 1995, climbing the 1 in 12 gradients between The Bungalow and summit providing some of the most memorable scenes in the island’s railways. What is not generally known is that before Colin joined the M.E.R. he very first railway appointment was as the operator of Cunningham’s Camp chair-lift at Little Switzerland in 1968, its very last year of operation.  

With the railway celebrating 125 years in 1998 another exhibit was removed from the museum under Colin’s expert guidance and a phoenix rose from the ashes when No.1 again proved the star of the show.  Indeed, on the big day itself she broke through the ribbon with paint still wet (!) but was on hand to fulfill her role in smart green livery. 

Colin was a great friend and supporter of Groudle and will always be remembered for working his day off to turn down the wheel flanges of Polar Bear when she returned home for the first time in 1993 as the profiles did not align with a section of track in the glen. The wheels were hastily removed and brought to Derby Castle and returned on the same day so that the star attraction could perform on what proved to be a memorable occasion.

Outside of the transport system Colin was a very active and keen hiker; he also enjoyed numerous skiing holidays and was a keen supporter and marshall at Greeba for the Manx Grand Prix. 

The funeral service took place on Thursday 16th August at Douglas Borough Crematorium, with was packed to the doors; with many mourners having to stand outside the chapel. Colin leaves a widow Sheila, sister Joan Gleave and brother-in-laws Arthur and Kevin, our deepest sympathies and with his family at this difficult time.

Members who may like to make a donation in memory of Colin can do so by sending a cheque made payable to the Manx Grand Prix Helicopter Fund, or Mr. John Kermeen, 10 Ballacrosha Estate, Ballaugh, Isle of Man, IM7 5AE. Finally, as a fitting tribute to the man who did so much for the railway, both service locomotives carried wreaths on their smokeboxes on the day of the funeral as a fitting final tribute.