Obituary to Swanage Railway volunteer Denis Cook 1929–2006

Obituary from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 10th March 2007
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright unless otherwise acknowledged. To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

Denis Cook at Swanage station. This photo was taken in 1999 for press and publicity purposes when Denis was promoting a new collectors' model vehicle that had been specially produced for the station shop - photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

THANK YOU DENIS!

By Andrew P.M. Wright.

A dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer who was the 'always willing to help' face of the relaid Purbeck Line has died in tragic circumstances - sending shockwaves of disbelief through everyone associated with the running of the award-winning steam railway.

Denis Cook, aged 78, of Broadstone near Poole, in Dorset, died in hospital after a road traffic collision close to where he lived on February 28th, 2007. He had been using a pedestrian crossing near his home and died in hospital on March 8th, 2007.

As a mark of respect - and in thanks for everything that Denis contributed to the Swanage Railway - the crew of the driver experience locomotive on Saturday, March 10th, 2007, carried a duty disk that read simply 'Denis Cook 1929 - 2007'.

Shown holding the tribute disk are No. 80078's driver John Dennison (left) and fireman Richard Winslade (right) - photos copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The disk was placed on the front of ex-BR Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80078 which was built at Brighton in 1954.

The touching mark of respect - so typical of the volunteers of the Swanage Railway - was the idea of long-time Swanage Railway volunteer Pete Duncalfe of Wareham as well as driver John Dennison of Corfe Castle and fireman Richard Winslade of Bournemouth.

It was apt that the tribute disk was carried on No. 80078 because the Standard Class 4 Tank was Denis' favourite locomotive on the Swanage Railway.

BR Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80078 shown carrying the tribute disk to Denis Cook
Photos copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Denis had helped to not only raise funds to restore No. 80078 - which arrived as a rusting hulk at Swanage from the Barry scrapyard in south Wales in September, 1976 - but he also helped with the restoration of the leviathan of steam.

Sprightly and fit, Denis was young at heart and did not look his 78 years. He always carried a ready smile and he was interested in everyone that he met. He was the caring face of the Swanage Railway who always had time for his fellow volunteers as well as members of the public. Before retiring, Denis had worked for British Telecom.

Denis Cook at Swanage, also shown in inset photo below - photos copyright Les Frampton - and a close up of BR Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80078 shown carrying the tribute disk to Denis Cook - photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

During the 1990s, Denis was the Swanage Railway's very own Father Christmas on the line's intensive 'Santa Specials' train service - a gruelling and tiring role that Denis played every weekend in December. His energy was amazing - it seemed boundless.

But Denis was also a keen, ever cheerful and long-serving porter, station assistant and public information dispenser at all stations on the relaid Purbeck Line, particularly at Swanage which had a special place in his heart. He also helped out in the station shop at Swanage.

My abiding memory of Denis is him always turning up for duty spick and span in his railway uniform. His presence brightened the station and I am sure that it brightened the day of many people. I was only chatting to Denis on the platform at Swanage a few weeks ago. The Swanage Railway is a lesser place without him.

The picture of Denis at the head of this obituary was taken at Swanage station in 1999 for press and publicity purposes when Denis was promoting a new collectors' model vehicle that had been specially produced for the station shop; yet another instance of Denis always being willing to promote the railway that he loved so much.

So, when you are next at Swanage station, think of Denis and remember that it is thanks to people like him that we have the steam railway that we enjoy today.

Our sincere and heart-felt condolences to Denis' devoted wife Dorothy as well as the rest of the family - including his sons Geoffrey and David, and daughters-in-law Francesca and Michelle who with David used to run the station shop at Swanage for many years - at this very difficult time.

BR Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80078 shown carrying the tribute disk to Denis Cook at the coaling dock at Swanage loco shed - photos copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

We are thankful for the life of Denis Cook and we are grateful to have been blessed with his friendship.

It is just tragic that Denis has been taken from us in the way that he was and when he had still more years to contribute to the Swanage Railway. The relaid Purbeck Line is a living memorial to people like Denis and it is a lesser place without him.

Andrew P.M. Wright