As we say goodbye to a good friend and long time Urie Society heavy weight, of which we have had to face too many times in 2024, Director and Engineer Barry Stratton reflects on John Fry’s time in the society.
I first met John at Alresford he was working on 506 shorty after its arrival after the locos move to Ropley I helped with the loco with a small team led by Roger and John.
John was a private person, and even though I got to know him, I don’t think I ever really knew him. His personal life was mostly his own. Over the years, his support in overhauling 506 was invaluable. He didn’t suffer fools gladly and could be quiet, gruff, and unapproachable at times. But once he made up his mind, you couldn’t change it, even though he was usually right! He was at Ropley for almost 50 years and was always there for all things Urie, even during tough times.
A couple of weeks ago we had a chat at the care home about the ups and downs of railway preservation at Ropley. He said that the good times far outweighed the bad, and we had some amazing memories. The most memorable was taking the T9 on a test run up the new extension from Ropley to Medstead. We stopped to check everything was okay and left a trail of smoke drifting over the Hampshire sky on a beautiful evening.
I can clearly remember those delightful nights spent in an old parcel van together. With only a coal stove inside by morning with the fire gone the inside would be coated in ice. Or those working parties to Barry, especially removing the boiler off 30825. There are so many memories with John to cherish.
John was great at drawing up plans for both the engine and the tender, and he was also good at small-scale pattern making. That made him the go-to person for technical stuff.
On our last conversation Thursday last, I brought him up to date on the progress of 499. I told him that we had two new injectors and talked about the progress on the tender. I mentioned how I had cut up various off-cuts to save money, he said I was even tighter with our money than he was… praise indeed!
John fry 1945-2024
Stalwart Urie Loco Society figurehead
If you would like to celebrate John’s life through the Urie Society please consider donating with the link below. #ThankYou