The Train of Hope Railtour on Saturday the 1st October was the pinnacle of 12 Months Work by 5 Train Drivers off the Shop floor. To see the enjoyment on peoples faces and listen to some of their stories confirmed my belief that it was well worth all effort. I have learned a lot of things along the way and met some genuine, diligent and hardworking individuals.
I'd like to thank all the people that came on the day, without them it would not have been such a successful event. My colleagues in my TOC for their unswerving support and their invaluable assistance , my industry partners for their support and assistance. My friends in the Royal Air Force and Bae Systems for their Support. My Boozing Buddies for listening to me ramble on about Train of Hope, The people that gave up their time for free on the day to make the event run smoothly and the Crewe Dwarf for pushing a trolley round on the morning of the event, it confirmed my thoughts that I've had for some time!

Lastly I'd like to Thank my comrade John Young for the belief that he could actually deliver the event - the Guys a menace but for some reason I actually like him, he's one of the Good Guys!

As the Rock Band Queen wrote in 1989 "Was it all Worth It - Yes it was a Worthwhile Experience"

 

From Gary Nuthall.

 

First I would like to thank my wife Maryanna I am sure at times she felt like a widow while I was doing all the work for Train of Hope. I am sure she knows I love her with all my heart even when I am not with her.

A great big thank you to Elsa, Jo, Sue, Sam, and all at Virgin trains that did so much to help us make the day a winner. I know a lot more people at Virgin trains did great work for us and to you all thank you so much.

West Coast Railways and Gravy Train you only have to read the passenger comments to see what a great job you all did. I am sure at times you would have liked to kick us out of the door but you did the best thing you could and just did the job you are best at. Next time we will just tell you what we want and pay the bill we know you will come good every time. Thank you.

 

Ron and Martin Revell thank you for doing all the work you did. I was sorry that time beat us to make use of your hard work. I do hope next time all that  work will be used to its best. Thank you

Thank you Stagecoach for giving us our first donation and our first bank deposit. It all start with you.

To Every passenger on the Train of Hope thank for making the day so wonderful without you we would have been very lonely.

 

To our sponsors I hope we have been worth supporting. Thank you for all you did.

Alan, Jamie, John, Steve what a team 3rd best team in Manchester  :)

I know that many more people deserve praise you all know who you are and from me thank you so much.

 

Last of all  my dad Brian. At the end of the day walking away from the train my dad said a few words to me and that was just the icing on the cake.

 

Thank you

 

Gary Nuthall.

My thanks

13 months to the day, we began 1^st September 2010, tour 1^st October 2011. The first people I will thank is my wife and my son. I made them take second place to my personal goal something I have never done so they deserve more than anyone else all the thanks in the world. Many of you know I can come across quite abrupt and weather you believe me or not that’s not really me.

Next is the team for the continual support despite my emails and request I sent out regardless of day or time. We are all shift workers.

We have had some massive help along the way but the one that made my day was the initial pledge from Stagecoach. Then John Cowley with the commissioned oil painting made oh so much easier.

Next for me is my old instructor Kevin Treeby so humble, he has no idea of the respect I have for him.

Virgin trains, well what can I say the prizes the support and the work of Sam was outstanding. Thanks to Tony for the backing.

I must say a sorry and perhaps a lesson I have greatly learnt is we all don’t work the same. I nagged and hassled WCRC and Gravy train for all I was worth. Sorry your standards matched my mine and exceeded my customers how do you thank anyone for that. I knew that would make or break the day, they both pulled all the stops out and it was perfect just see the comments.

Lastly before I ramble on, the stewards that worked for nothing like the RPIs and all those that worked in the background. You and I know who you are as I will send you another email soon J

Thanks to all the customers for buying a ticket and any press  that promoted our event, without the press we are nothing.

 

John Young.