With the plaque are (from left) Shania Burrage, Kieran May, Helen Cottee, Angela Gallagher, Barbara Duck, Andrew Goddard, Morris Lubricants’ executive chairman and Nigel and Sylva Thorogood, Keiron’s parents.
The Rail and Heritage Account Manager for one of the UK’s leading independent lubricants companies, who died last year, is to be remembered for posterity at North Norfolk Railway (NNR) where he volunteered.
A plaque in memory of Keiron Thorogood, who died in his sleep aged 49 at his home in Newton Sudbury, Suffolk last November, has been erected at the railway.
Keiron’s role with Shrewsbury-based Morris Lubricants saw him work closely with heritage and main line railways across the UK. He helped launch the company’s Heritage Railway Support Scheme in April last year to support railways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a tribute to him, Morris Lubricants paid for the plaque to be made and erected at NNR at Weybourne. The railway has been a customer since Keiron’s father, Nigel, worked as the company’s area sales manager for East Anglia for 23 years.
Keiron inherited his father Nigel’s passion for railways and followed in his footsteps by joining the company as Rail and Heritage Account Manager. Keiron worked for Morris Lubricants for 20 years.
Chris Moxon, who works in NNR’s carriage and wagon department, said: “Keiron became associated with the NNR professionally through his role as the specialist heritage railway representative for Morris Lubricants.
“He quickly also became involved in a voluntary capacity, training as a diesel railcar driver. Keiron spoke of the unparalleled beauty of the NNR visible from the cab, which he cited as a deciding factor in signing up as a volunteer despite it being some distance from his home.
“Equally unparalleled was Keiron's passion for his job, and his signature feature was an extraordinary interest in the railways and locomotives to which he was supplying, something the NNR had never seen in such abundance before in a sales representative.
“He was a true enthusiast, and his passion shone through on every visit. Many people on heritage lines speak of the value of building bridges between different railways, Keiron being one of the few who actually achieved this in practice, a position he was well placed to do travelling the UK with a proactive and likeable nature.
“Keiron’s qualities as a lively and easy-going member of crew in the cab will not be forgotten. We hope Keiron's family are proud of the positive impact he made to the NNR and the heritage rail industry as a whole.”
Nigel Thorogood, who attended the plaque presentation with other family members, said: “It’s a marvellous gesture by Morris Lubricants to present this plaque to North Norfolk Railway. Keiron spent a lot of time there, not only on business but in his own leisure time as a driver, and his partner, Helen, would often go with him.
“He had liked the railway since childhood when we went to North Norfolk on caravan holidays. It was also the family’s wish that any donations at Keiron’s funeral should go to the railway.
Andrew Goddard, Morris Lubricants’ Executive Chairman, said: “Keiron was a well-respected member of the rail and heritage community who is dearly missed. Morris Lubricants is proud to present this plaque in honour of his memory.”
Keiron’s role with Shrewsbury-based Morris Lubricants saw him work closely with heritage and main line railways across the UK. He helped launch the company’s Heritage Railway Support Scheme in April last year to support railways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a tribute to him, Morris Lubricants paid for the plaque to be made and erected at NNR at Weybourne. The railway has been a customer since Keiron’s father, Nigel, worked as the company’s area sales manager for East Anglia for 23 years.
Keiron inherited his father Nigel’s passion for railways and followed in his footsteps by joining the company as Rail and Heritage Account Manager. Keiron worked for Morris Lubricants for 20 years.
Chris Moxon, who works in NNR’s carriage and wagon department, said: “Keiron became associated with the NNR professionally through his role as the specialist heritage railway representative for Morris Lubricants.
“He quickly also became involved in a voluntary capacity, training as a diesel railcar driver. Keiron spoke of the unparalleled beauty of the NNR visible from the cab, which he cited as a deciding factor in signing up as a volunteer despite it being some distance from his home.
“Equally unparalleled was Keiron's passion for his job, and his signature feature was an extraordinary interest in the railways and locomotives to which he was supplying, something the NNR had never seen in such abundance before in a sales representative.
“He was a true enthusiast, and his passion shone through on every visit. Many people on heritage lines speak of the value of building bridges between different railways, Keiron being one of the few who actually achieved this in practice, a position he was well placed to do travelling the UK with a proactive and likeable nature.
“Keiron’s qualities as a lively and easy-going member of crew in the cab will not be forgotten. We hope Keiron's family are proud of the positive impact he made to the NNR and the heritage rail industry as a whole.”
Nigel Thorogood, who attended the plaque presentation with other family members, said: “It’s a marvellous gesture by Morris Lubricants to present this plaque to North Norfolk Railway. Keiron spent a lot of time there, not only on business but in his own leisure time as a driver, and his partner, Helen, would often go with him.
“He had liked the railway since childhood when we went to North Norfolk on caravan holidays. It was also the family’s wish that any donations at Keiron’s funeral should go to the railway.
Andrew Goddard, Morris Lubricants’ Executive Chairman, said: “Keiron was a well-respected member of the rail and heritage community who is dearly missed. Morris Lubricants is proud to present this plaque in honour of his memory.”
