7 March 1935 to 18 February 2021

Michael Chorley grew up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. From an early age, Mike had model railways running around his garden. After Chorlton Grammar school he went to Manchester University to study Civil Engineering. During a period of illness in hospital he was attended to by nurse Alwyn, who was to become his wife for over 60 years. They had three children and spent their family holidays travelling by train to Switzerland. As well as O gauge model railways, Mike was a keen supporter of Manchester United and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Mike worked in many British Rail Civil Engineering Offices, rising to the post of Area Civil Engineer Perth, Scotland. Mike was always very supportive of young staff and encouraged them to achieve their goals. He set up Duke of Edinburgh training schemes and encouraged staff to go on exchange visits to other areas.

On graduation he joined the London Midland Region, Chief Civil Engineers Department on the graduate training programme.  The 1960s were an exciting time to be a railway engineer with modernisation in full swing. Following the usual period of graduate training, Mike was appointed as resident engineer for the construction of the post tensioned concrete box bridges to carry the WCML over the new M6 motorway in the Penrith area. These structures built on the skew are still impressive today as viewed from the motorway.

The electrification of the WCML north of Crewe followed on from the completion of the M6 and Mike became the Electrification Assistant for Preston Division. Based at Ladywell House and Penrith in what would become the PWME’s office, he was responsible for coordinating the programme of bridgeworks, OLE, and track works necessary for electrification.

A spell responsible for track maintenance on the Cumbrian Coast followed, during which Mike was faced with instigating a recovery plan following the exceptional coastal flooding and resultant damage caused by the great storm of November 1977. He subsequently produced a paper for the PWI entitled ‘The Great Wash Out’, and this was first read to the Perth section and published in the Journal in 1984 Part 2.

Several promotions were a precursor to what was his last, and possibly his favourite, job as Area Civil Engineer, Perth. It was here that most people will remember him and he certainly loved the people and the rugged country, relishing the challenge of maintaining a rural railway at the most economical cost. In fact his PWI paper, ‘Cheap and Cheerful Track Maintenance’, was published and read at many section and national meetings.

On retirement from Perth Mike moved back to his beloved Lancashire. He travelled abroad as a consultant with Transmark to China, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Pakistan. In Pakistan his inspection train was blown up by terrorists. Fortunately, he only sustained a shoulder injury. In retirement, as well as building an extensive model railway based on the Highland Railway in his garden, Mike channelled his enthusiasm into The Friends of Carnforth Station, which restored the station with its famous “Brief Encounter” heritage centre. He was also active in the local Lancaster, Barrow & Carlisle PWI Section, serving as Section Secretary and Chairman. His large circle of senior railway friends ensured that the section always had a full and interesting programme of meetings.

Mike also liked travelling and tried to visit a new country every year in his retirement. He and Alwyn also visited their daughter in California for a few weeks each winter. Mike soon became friends with Mike McGinley, Chief Engineer of Metrolink, the Los Angeles suburban rail network. He arranged two successful PWI Section visits to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, where there were joint meetings with AREMA, the USA equivalent of the PWI. He also organised PWI conventions at Windermere and Blackpool.

Mike continued to take an active part in PWI Section meetings and visits until his health deteriorated.  Because of the Covid restrictions, his funeral was only attended by family members.  Donations, if desired, in memory of Michael to Manchester University, Faculty of Life Sciences.