Throughout the North West, former railwaymen and enthusiasts alike were devastated to learn of the sudden death in late June of celebrated ex-Bolton fireman and prolific railway author, Jim Markland.

 

Author of the "bolton Engineman" series - published by Foxline Publishing - Jim's passing occurred a mere two days before the 40th Anniversary of the closure of Bolton motive power depot, an event for the benefit of former 26C / 9K enginemen and local enthusiasts, in which Jim had been instrumental in organising.  Planned to take place on the actual date of the anniversary, 30th June 2008, at Ribble Steam Railway, this was a venue where, amongst the volunteer force in recent years, Jim and his wife, Glenys, had been familiar figures.

Despite the tragic news, Glenys made the decision to continue with the even and the special opening and steaming day for around 50 invited guests went ahead as planned.  After opening announcements, these including a few words from Jim's widow, refreshments were served before a special train then conveyed passengers the length of the dock railway and a guided tour was conducted of the railway's extensive workshops.

 

Hauling the 2-coach special train was former Agecroft Power Station 0-4-0ST "Agecroft No.2", with a special wreath in honour of Jim being carried on the locomotive smokebox.  A special display of Bolton engine number-plates, shedplates and books included the special headboard that was carried by Black Five No.45269 on the last day when it worked Target 89, the 10:00 Agecroft - Dewsnap

 James Henry Markland

The Railway enthusiast lworld lost a great friend to many and an outstanding writer of British Railways era home ground material in the passing of Jim Markland, unexpectedly on June 27th 2008.

 

A Bolton man, Jim joined the railway at his home depot (26C) early in 1956 and, in nine years, worked his was up to passed Fireman Seniority promotion, which he achieved through a rarely found intelligence in his approach to the intracate workings of steam locomotives.  Acute and perceptive observation of his fellow railwaymen was a large part of this and it unintentionally set him in good stead for later life.

 

Leaving that employ soon after '68, a post steam career on 'civvy street' followed, and later, whilst running in semi-retirement, a St Annes-on-Sea guest house with his wife Glenys, Jim began to assemble his own experiences and those of contemporary enginemen with a view to publication.  It was during the mid-late 1980s that his enthusiasm for the days of steam, coupled with early preparation for the first book, had the happy effect also of reuniting many ex-Bolton locomen, a situation which has continued to this day.

 

The fruitful years 1997-2004 duly saw the release of three superior books on the Bolton motive power depot, it's men, it's engines and workings.

 

Jim had an extraordinary recall of detail on his railway career, especiallu in the field of turn numbers, far beyond basic job descriptions, eg Brindle Heath-Barnfurlong, delving into the intracate realms of trip & light engine movements as well as men's relief arrangements.  no less meticulously recollected were his own practical experiences, wherein lies the key to his unique writings.

 

No-one, however, can remember everything - how often he regretted not committing things to paper at the time - and it was as an aspiring researcher for Jim that we became firm friends, as he provided me with untold stimulating hours in attempting to solve the many and varied queries that preparation of the books inevitably threw up.  It became a real pleasure to plumb the records in endeavours to assist such a kind an considerate gentleman as Jim and in time our friendship developed beyond pure railway matters.

 

Later, in full retirement, the third book saw completion and a fourth nearly so, when, on the eve of his beloved depot's 40th anniversary of closure and the biggest reunion of ex-Bolton locomen to date, Jim was struck down.  His unspoken wish that the event went ahead, expressed through his wife, proved, as all who attended would agree, to be a brave, inspired and very right decision.

 

Jim's final book WILL be completed, and dedicated to ex-Plodder Lane and Bolton engineman, Jimmy Jones, for unstinting support in every sense throughout the series.  The men of Bolton shed will rally again in memory of Jim Markland, that of other departed colleagues and the depot itself, thus perpetuating the fellowship he so single handedly championed.  He will be sorely missed.

 

Stephen Leyland