Institution lecture - Tuesday 3rd February 2026

Dennis Clarke

by Narrative by John Doyle

Our speaker Dennis Clarke has worked on the railway all of his life, starting as a craft apprentnce in 1976 and working in rolling stock maintenance. Dennis took us on a pictorial journey from the days of his childhood hobby to working his way from West to East London maintenance depots.

He was fortunate to have a career in the industry as well as having a keen interest in railways as an enthusiast. His hobby took him, as a young spotter, all over the country including visits to Dai Woodham’s scrap yard at Barry Island. Over the years he has kept meticulous records of his sightings.

He followed the tail end of steam haulage at the start of his hobby and sustained his interest by following the proliferation of diesel and electric locomotives classes which followed.

His working life took him to maintenance depots at Willesden and Wembley under Briritsh Rail. With the start of Eurostar devices, he moved to work initally at North Pole and subsequently Temple Mills depot.

The plethora of illustrations and anecdotes Dennis shared with us enthused the audience, who thanked him in the usual way.