A railway engineer who helped build the final steam locomotives in Swindon and later trained generations of engineers has been recognised for his decades of service to Wiltshire’s railways.
Horace Prickett recently stepped down as a Director of the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership, marking the end of a long career spanning engineering, education and public service.
A Lifetime in Railways
Horace began his railway career in 1956, starting work at just 15 years old as an apprentice locomotive fitter.
During his early career he worked at the Westbury railway depot, while also spending time in Swindon, where he helped construct the last two steam locomotives built in the town.
His career coincided with a transformative period for Britain’s railways, including the transition from steam engines to diesel locomotives.
“I started an apprenticeship as a locomotive fitter, turner and erector and learned how to build and repair railway engines from scratch,” Horace said.
“I saw the replacement of steam with diesel, as well as the introduction of diesel hydraulics, which at the time were only used in Germany and the UK.”
Passing on Engineering Skills
Following government rail cuts in the early 1960s, Horace moved into education, helping establish the heavy engineering department at Trowbridge College.
The new department was set up in just 12 weeks, allowing Horace to pass on his knowledge and experience to future engineers across Wiltshire.
“Teaching was a new field, but what we were teaching was what I had trained in and enjoyed on the railways,” he said.
Public Service and Community Rail
Alongside his engineering and teaching career, Horace was also active in local politics.
He served as a parish and town councillor in Westbury, later becoming Mayor of Westbury, and also held the role of Portfolio Holder for Public Transport at Wiltshire Council.
His work with TransWilts eventually led to him becoming a director in 2017, helping guide the community rail partnership’s efforts to improve services and encourage more people to travel by train.
Lasting Legacy
Sophie Martin, Community Partnership Manager at TransWilts, said Horace’s dedication to railways and community initiatives has left a lasting legacy.
“Horace’s contribution to TransWilts, as well as to engineering and the railways in our region, is an amazing achievement across a lifetime,” she said.
“He was instrumental in spearheading a number of community initiatives over the years, including our popular days out to the beach for members of the community who might otherwise struggle to access such trips.”
She added that these initiatives not only help people explore their local area by train but also inspire a love of rail travel in younger generations.
