Gordon Pettitt 1934 - 2025

[fgwrich]

As posted in the Southern Electric Group on Facebook. I’m very sorry to see this fine legend of the Southern region legend pass today. Rest in Peace Mr Pettitt, a true and fine Railwayman through to the very end.

The Committee and membership of the Southern Electric Group are deeply saddened to learn of the passing, on Monday 31st March, of Gordon Pettitt.

A remarkable man and a remarkable career. Our sympathies are extended to his family and his wide circle of friends across the industry.

RIP Gordon Pettitt 1934 - 2025

For and on behalf of the SEG
RS - Chairman & General Secretary

Southern Electric Group | The Committee and membership of the Southern Electric Group are deeply saddened to learn of the passing, on Monday 31st March, of Gordon Pettitt | Facebook

The Committee and membership of the Southern Electric Group are deeply saddened to learn of the passing, on Monday 31st March, of Gordon Pettitt. A remarkable man and a remarkable career. Our...

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Photo of Gordon Pettit with his namesake 3417 courtesy of the Southern Electric Group.

 

[Sun Chariot]

A talented man. For those unfamiliar:

Gordon Pettitt served as Deputy Director, London and South East, before becoming Deputy General Manager of British Rail: Southern Region, promoted in 1985 to General Manager for British Rail: Southern Region until 1990.
He moved to Regional Railways, taking the post of Managing Director from 1990 to 1992.
He also served as an External Board Member for Office of the Rail Regulator from 1993 until 1996, as well as acting as an Advisor to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

A talented man. For those unfamiliar:

Gordon Pettitt served as Deputy Director, London and South East, before becoming Deputy General Manager of British Rail: Southern Region and promoted in 1985 to General Manager for British Rail: Southern Region until 1990.
He moved to Regional Railways, taking the post of Managing Director from 1990 to 1992.
He also served as an External Board Member for Office of the Rail Regulator from 1993 until 1996, as well as acting as an Advisor to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

A lot was achieved when he was General Mgr of the Southern Region.

 

[Bald Rick]

Very sad news. A great railwayman. I met him twice, most recently at a dinner a couple of years back - he was still sharp as a tack well into his 80s.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Gordon Pettitt was a great chap to work for and work with. I had the chance to engage with him on many occasions from 1985 onwards, often 1:1. Even more recently he helped in clarifying some genealogy queries (some Pettits, different spelling, in my antecedents but we definitely weren’t related).
Also responsible for the Regional Railways definitive history book, to go alongside the Intercity and Network SouthEast volumes.
RIP

 

[NSEWonderer]

RIP to a rail legend. Those at work that have had the pleasure of working with him have nothing but good words to say about him.

 

[dk1]

RIP to a rail legend. Those at work that have had the pleasure of working with him have nothing but good words to say about him.

A true railway and gentleman.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Very sad. RIP - but a good long life.

 

[David Goddard]

A true gentleman and highly respected railwayman.
Had the pleasure of meeting Gordon (and his wife Ursula) on a number of occasions through when he gave talks to the RCTS. He will be missed

 

[Elecman]

I last met and had a long chat with Gordon and Chris Green at Cyril Bleasdale’s funeral. He was a true gentleman throughout his career