Matthew Smith, who is perhaps best known as the owner of the 3 car Metro Cammell set currently at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, passed away on 30th Jan at the age of 27 from lymphatic cancer.

His involvement with DMU preservation began with the purchase of the Gloucester 100 trailer 56317 from the Gwili Railway, followed by the Class 107 power cars 52005 and 52025, which required considerable work to bring them back from use as Sandite sets at Millerhill. He was aided in this work by bringing together a small team of restorers at Blunsdon.

Despite having a strong interest in preserving a 101 3 car set, Matthew was a major contributor to the preservation of the Gloucester Cross Country set, 51074 and 51104, providing both finance and acting as a Director and Trustee. His practical knowledge gained on the 107 set was also a great help in the mechanical work on these vehicles, which will be reformed as a set at the end of February at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

He was also an active supporter of the Dereham project and paid for the move of the unique Class 111 buffet car to a secure location when it was due to be scrapped due to blue asbestos insulation.

It was through this association that Matthew acquired the 101 set, 51503, 51434 and centre car 59117.  This set has provided passenger services for some 2 years at Blunsdon and is currently undergoing a repaint into blue and grey. Railcar regulars will recall that Matthew was determined to purchase the 101 set L840, of which he has the centre car, but found considerable frustration in his dealings with Angel, who after an extended and protracted negotiation decided that operational needs meant that it was to be stripped of useable parts instead. This decision in late November was followed by a rapid decline in his health.

It is perhaps fitting that Matthew will be remembered by the preservation of perhaps the only 3-car Class 101 set, which will be maintained by the team he set up and will be named in his memory. He will also be remembered for the quiet determination and courage that he showed while undergoing often painful and uncomfortable treatment.

Jim Poor