WEST Somerset Railway chairman Chris Austin has been awarded the OBE after a working life in which trains have played an integral part. Chris, who has been at the helm of Britain's longest independent line for almost three years but a volunteer for the past 18 years, received the New Year's honour for services to passenger transport. The citation made particular mention of his role with the WSR and also his previous job as director of the Strategic Rail Authority. "I was certainly very surprised but delighted," said Chris, who is married with one daughter and a 21- month-old granddaughter. "But I see it as a tribute to the excellent teams of people I have worked with over the years." Although he lives in London and also has a home in Devon, 60-year-old Chris devotes two days a week to his role as WSR chairman, fitting it around his part-time job as director of public policy with the Association of Train Operating Companies. But his involvement with the heritage line, which runs from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, began through his fascination with signalling. "I was living in Bath at the time and I became a volunteer signalman and guard. "Unfortunately, I no longer have the time to do any volunteering but I do like to get out and about and see what's going on as often as possible. Chris has spent 39 years of his working life in the rail industry and has been heavily involved in community rail networks, particularly the Castle Cary to Weymouth line. He previously worked for British Rail and can remember the Minehead to Taunton line before the early 1970s. News of his honour began filtering through to friends and colleagues on the WSR this week and he has also managed to celebrate with his family. "Everyone is very pleased and thrilled for me, so that's rather nice."
