The death of Richard Greenwood and a news update –
Further updated 16th February – details of live-streaming of church service on 27th February
Further updated 20th February – family choice for donations
Some of you will already be aware of this, but sadly we have to report that on 5th February 2026 Richard Greenwood passed away at the age of 89 after a period of illness.
So far as this Trust is concerned, Richard is the one who started it all. Following Tony Cox’s purchase of Barton Wright 0-6-0 957, the idea of preserving other surviving L&Y items grew. Richard’s involvement in the preservation movement also grew, as a collection of two Pugs, Saddletank 752, and ownership of USA tank 72, Manchester Ship Canal tank 31 and Bulleid Pacific ‘City of Wells’ steadily built up. His long Chairmanships of the KWVR and MSLO Ltd led to the award of an MBE for services to railway preservation. Although a lawyer by profession, Richard was forever a railwayman at heart: he knew more about railway operation than many engaged in it full time on the Big Railway. Fortunately his vast collection of railway photographs and the films he made will live on as a magnificent testimony. He was just as at home with a loco spanner and shovel as with a defending brief. There will never be another like him.
Below are the arrangements for the funeral as we know at 14th February.
We intend that any changed will be updated here when known, so keep details of this website page.
Richard’s funeral service will take place at St George’s Church, Bury Road, Rochdale OL11 4ED, on Friday 27 February at 1100.
Please be aware that parking in the vicinity of the church is somewhat limited and that nearby streets probably offer the best alternative to the rather small church car park.
UPDATE 20th February – We understand that there are to be no flowers, but donations are welcome, the family has selected The Dogs Trust as recipients, they can be accessed on the web at https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/
There is a Donate button at the top right of the screen.
The service will be streamed live on the internet and can be watched for 12 months afterwards. You can see instructions for use of the live streaming by clicking here (opens in new window). On 27th February, the link to view is http://www.funeralstreaming.co.uk/watch/58810
The committal is for FAMILY ONLY and will be at Rochdale Crematorium at 1150.
All are invited to the wake after the service at the Cricket Club, Bridgefold Road, Spotland and the postcode is OL11 5BX.
This is approached from Spotland Bridge. The club and ground are on the site of the demolished Redbrook School.
EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY – Small Engines Gala – February 21st and 22nd 2026
Apart from featuring both our engines Pug 19 (as 11243) and Saddletank 752 (as 11456) throughout the weekend. The railway has decided to make Sunday 22nd a commemorative day for Richard. Full details are not known but the existing arrangement and a timetable can be seen on the website at https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/small-engines-gala/
WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY – THE STEAM GALA -March 19th to 22nd 2026
Three of our carriages are planned to operate on two of the four days of the Gala, Thursday 19th and Sunday 22nd, the details can be found on their website at https://kwvr.co.uk/events/thesteamgala/ then under TIMETABLES click the + sign at the right, then click on the Key area under the times and the details of the carriage operations can be seen.
