Bob Bloodworth

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
Robert Peter Bloodworth
Bob (left) with other S&T volunteers at the formal opening of the Harbour Station Remodelling Scheme
Born 1949
Old Windsor
Died 14 June 2019
Known for Harbour Station resignalling
Occupation FR voulunteer
Spouse Jan Bloodworth
FR People | WHR People

Robert Peter Bloodworth (Bob Bloodworth) was a volunteer with Signals and Telegraph department on the Ffestiniog Railway, best known for his work on the Harbour Station resignalling project in 2014.

Early life[edit]

Bob was born in 1949 in Old Windosr. Having shown an aptitude for practical skills esrly in life, his first job was as a fitter for Southern Electricity. He later worked on fire detection systems before moving to the College of Law. He met his wife Jan in 1974 through working on the lighting desk for an ammeter dramatics production. Other interests included amateur radio and Bob employed his skills to develop radio systems for long distance sporting events.

Involvement with the FR[edit]

Bob and Jan began volunteering with the S&T department in 2002. After Bob's retirement in 2008 they moved to Wales and pursued more active volunteering roles.After helping with major signalling projects at Tan y Bwlch and Minffordd, Bob took on the task of managing the cable runs for the new Harbour Station signalling. He personally installed, terminated and tested 5 miles of cable over a period of 13 months, during which the project completely took over his life. His efforts were recognised in 2019 with the awarding of a FR Society Vice President's Award. He wrote a comprehensive monograph on the design, implementation and operation of the scheme which was published in 2019, just a few months before his death.

Legacy[edit]

Bob Bloodworth left a legacy to fund the construction of a Superbarn for the FR. It is numbered 808, a pun on his name.

Publications[edit]

  • Harbour Station, Porthmadog: Building a new signalling scheme (2019)

It can be purchased from F&WHR shops, and from the Festrail online shop here.

References[edit]