Tributes paid to railway stalwart, 93 (From Somerset County Gazette)

Tributes paid to railway stalwart, 93

2:39pm Friday 25th September 2009

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A 93-YEAR-OLD stationmaster who was awarded an MBE for voluntary services to the rail industry in West Somerset earlier this year has died.

Iris Horn passed away at a nursing home in Taunton on Monday.

Mark Smith, chairman of the West Somerset Railway Plc, paid tribute to Iris this week, describing her as “so much a part of the railway”.

He said: “Passengers and visitors were always made so very welcome at Stogumber station.

“There was honey and other Somerset treats on sale, and I was never short of an instruction or reminder if the company in any way fell behind with maintenance or repairs.

“We can but offer our heartfelt thanks, and our sincerest condolences to Iris’ family and her many friends at this sad time.”

With her husband Harry, Iris looked after Stogumber Station for many years, and continued as stationmaster following her husband’s death in 2000.

The couple first moved to Stogumber in 1948 when Harry was appointed signalman at Bishops Lydeard and later Williton until his retirement in 1969.

Speaking to the County Gazette after making the Queen’s New Year Honours list, Iris said: “I’d like to thank everyone who made this honour possible and I hope it will remind people what a marvellous little railway line the West Somerset Railway is.”

Iris staffed the station on a voluntary basis on almost every train operating day – seven days a week in peak season.

David Holmes, chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, said: “Stogumber was Iris and Iris was Stogumber.”

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