David Shepherd death

[341o2]

Hope this is the right place to post this, cannot find any other refs on this site, but informed, sadly, of the death of David Shepphard, wildlife painter and steam fan. I remember well his locos stored at the Longmoor Military Railway and attempts to have a steam centre there, also a patron of the Isle of Wight steam railway

http://www.express.co.uk/news/natur...rd-artist-death-paintings-wildlife-foundation

Besides wildlife paintings, Shepherd was also an accomplished portrait artist, with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, one of his most famous studies.

He was awarded an OBE in 1979 and received a CBE in 2008 for his services to conservation and was also Member of Honour of the WWF.

His life as an artist and conservationist featured in several TV programmes, including the BBC’s Man Who Loves Giants and This is Your Life in 1990. His books include David Shepherd, An Artist in Conservation.

One of his other great passions was steam locomotives and he once owned two 120-ton engines as well as establishing in a registered steam railway charity.

 

[Cowley]

RIP David Sheppard.
He was such an important figure in the early days of standard gauge steam preservation, we had a couple of his books at home featuring his paintings and I used to love as a child his depictions of the rundown grime and decay at Nine Elms and other places including steam in Africa. Amazing pictures.
He bought his two locos (75029 and 92203) direct from BR I think? I remember seeing him on the footplate of Black Prince at the Mid Hants years ago, he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
He also set up The East Somerset railway after the Longmoor scheme fell through I believe.

Oh and his paintings of wildlife weren't so bad either...