Society Member – Dennis Herbert
A message from our Chairman;
Dennis Herbert has been a lifelong member of EMES for almost 35 years and his dedication and passion for all that we do has been unwavering with his support. He has personally been a great friend and mentor to me and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without his guidance and support. He has always put others first and is one of life’s true gentleman.
I was deeply saddened to learn recently that he has been given a truly horrific medical diagnosis with end of life care being started, a time where Dennis has decided to sort his affairs in order.
Dennis is a retired railwayman, having started on the railways in 1948 and latterly a self-taught prolific model engineer with many engines to his credit, culminating in the build of a magnificent 71/4” GWR King Class locomotive, as designed by the late Trevor Shortland. This engine was constructed by Dennis over a period of 9 years and has been a stalwart performer here at Wythall. Dennis has expressed a wish for the locomotive to be sold with all proceeds of the sale being donated to Alzheimer’s research, in memory of his late wife Iris, fellow society member and good friend John Turberfield as well as the late designer Trevor.
This act of generosity is credit to Dennis’ nature of putting others before himself and as such, we have agreed to support him in this wish. Below is a brief write up from Dennis to provide a little more context about the locomotive.
Dear Reader,
Regrettably, a routine blood test has recently opened Pandora’s Box telling me that it is time to put my affairs in order. Something I now find daunting, as age has made me realise that we now live in an often greedy and dishonest world.
My wish is to sell my 7.25” Gauge Trevor Shortland designed Great Western ‘King’ Class locomotive, a project that took me nine years to build and is now my most treasured possession[] . The proceeds of the sale will be pledged to Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of my late wife Iris, John Turburfield, a treasured friend who has now also fallen victim and Trevor Shortland who sadly fell afoul of this heart breaking malady.
My engine is somewhat unique, in as much as I inadvertently purchased the castings and drawings from a deceased model engineer’s workshop after they had lain there untouched for eight years. I was totally unaware that the purchased materials had originally belonged to the designer. Trevor Shortland had made all the patterns for the engine and tender chassis and had them cast faultlessly locally in small foundries in South Birmingham.
Some two years of working into the project I met a gentleman at our club site. As we were always on the lookout for new membership I enquired if he was interested. His interest now was Classic ‘Jaguar’ cars I was told, but he added that he had indeed produced the scaled drawings for ‘Reeves’ 7.25” Gauge’ King George V’ ! I then made my acquaintance known that I had just started work this project after purchasing the castings from a workshop in Bromsgrove. The startling reply then came that he had indeed sold all his previous work to an ex- employer who lived in Bromsgrove. Yes, I had purchased all this complete stranger’s earlier belongings. So, Trevor Shortland and I became acquainted and I invited him to my home to be re-united his many materials. There were items still wrapped, which when opened carried his name and address dated 1963.
Trevor then visited my home many times and although he never worked on my project, he became my mentor, quick to point out if I had put a rivet in the wrong place ! It was my wish to build the engine as they were when I worked on them, that is, painted in British Railways green and having double chimneys. This I could only have ever achieved with Trevor’s expertise. He made patterns for the double blast pipe and got them cast for me doing a just wonderful job. I was eager that the engine would become a workhorse, whilst not ruining the aesthetics of the design. The tender driving seat is therefore self-contained leaving no items to be noticeable if the model is put on exhibit.
I worked on most of the ‘King’ Class engines on the Wolverhampton to Paddington service, 6011 King James I, being a Stafford Road engine, became probably my most regular working. She always seemed to respond to well to what ‘talent’ I possessed as a fireman.
The copper boiler was made at Swindon by Trevor Tremblen, an B.R, ex -works coppersmith, and certified by him. Vacuum brakes are also operable. The engine has a substantial manoeuvrable exhibition stand and transporting cage.
Further interest can be found on ‘You Tube’ where some six hours of the engine’s construction are documented. Including down falls that occurred on such a complex project. -------- Build Diary of G W R King James I. Parts 1 to 6.
Regards,
Dennis Herbert
Dennis is a very humble man and does not overly shout about what he has achieved, along with the various locomotives that he has built, he also built a replica of John Harrison’s precision pendulum clock from the early 1700’s complete with wooden gearing. He has also written two books Birmingham Footplateman: a Job for Life and THE METTLE FOR METAL: REMINISCENCES OF A MODEL ENGINEER, of which all royalties have been donated to Alzheimer’s research.
There is a comprehensive collection of photos, and videos during construction and when the locomotive was run, the locomotive will also come with a current boiler certificate. Videos and pictures can be seen on the societies YouTube Channel (here) as well as a large collection of photographs which can be seen here.
Thank you for taking the time to read these words and should you wish to know anything more, please do reach out through the contact us section of the website or equally message us on our Facebook page. All bids should be made by email to wythallminiaturerailway@gmail.com, where you will also receive a confirmation of the bid being received. All bids should be sent by 28/03/2025 @ 23:59hrs.
SALE OF 71/4” GWR King – Trevor Shortland Design
All proceeds will be donated to Alzheimers Research
Sealed Bid Auction – All bids to be emailed to wythallminiaturerailway@gmail.com, where you will receive a confirmation that your bid has been received. Bidding closes on 28/03/2025 @ 23:59hrs.
Any queries to be directed through the Wythall Miniature Railway Facebook Page or the above email address