Tributes paid to Geoffrey Claydon

Tributes have been paid across the tram and light rail sector to Geoffrey Claydon following his death at the age of 94. Geoffrey passed away on Monday 30^th June after a short illness and had been a legal architect of modern heritage railway legislation and was a pivotal figure in the Tramway Museum Society.

For the TMS, Geoffrey was instrumental in acquiring the Crich site which has become the home of the National Tramway Museum. He served for many years as Vice President and was the Society’s President in 2005 and 2006. He was also, for many decades, one of the most active and influential champions of the heritage railway sector. His contributions to the legal framework of heritage transport in the UK are described as immeasurable.

A distinguished legal professional, Geoffrey spent much of his career in the Civil Service and was the architect of groundbreaking legislative changes that transformed the heritage railway landscape. Most notably, he was instrumental in the passing of the Transport & Works Act and the various regulations that succeeded the historic Tramways Act of 1870.

Geoffrey’s influence extended far beyond the tramway world and was a Heritage Railway Association Director and a former Chair of their Legal Committee. Even in his final days, he continued his passionate advocacy for heritage rail, working alongside Lord Faulkner on legislative improvements to secure the status of young volunteers in heritage railway operations.

One of his last public appearances was at the East Midlands Mayor’s opening of the new Tram Stop Café at Crich.

A spokesperson from the Crich Tramway Village said: “Geoffrey will be missed enormously by all who knew him, and his many contributions to heritage rail will not be forgotten. His legacy lives on in every heritage railway that operates safely and legally across the country.”

Tributes to Geoffrey also came from UKTram Managing Director James Hammett: “Having had the pleasure of being taken under Geoffrey’s wing, I owe a huge part of my own development and that of the sector to him. Geoffrey was one of my key mentors from a young age. We have lost not only a true gentleman, but one of the biggest advocates and influencers our sector has ever known.”

A funeral service for Geoffrey Claydon will take place on Tuesday 22^nd July at 1100 at Derby Cathedral.

Geoffrey Claydon on the right of the shot during the opening of the Tram Stop Café at Crich. He is joined by Andrew Pendleton, John Whitby MP, Claire Ward and Graham Bennett. (Photograph courtesy of Crich Tramway Village)