It is with great sadness that the Society would like to advise you, that our former President, Vice President, Committee Member and friend of so many of us, David Russell, died on Sunday 6th April 2025 in the evening at the Royal Derby Hospital. His passing was peaceful with his son, Huw, by his side.
David was the first President of the Derby Railway Engineering Society.
He chaired a task force of the previously named Derby Railway Engineering Club (DREC) in reaction to the proposed privatisation of BR in the early 1990’s. Prior to that membership had been restricted solely to active BR staff (although, latterly, some retired staff had also been admitted).
David’s task force recommended that, in order to maintain a viable organisation, the DREC (of which he was the 38th and final President) should henceforth open its membership to anybody with an interest in the engineering and operational issues supporting the railways in Britain.
David also created the precedent that the President, which title was until then largely a sinecure, should become a role whose holder takes an active part in the strategic direction of the Society and its delivery.
For 25 years David also organised the Society’s Annual Dinner for its Members and guests.
