R H N Hardy

Richard Harry Norman Hardy (1923-2018) was a prominent British railwayman and author, beginning his career as an apprentice at Doncaster under Edward Thompson in 1941 and rising rapidly to become a shedmaster at age 22, managing major depots and divisions on LNER and British Railways.[1][3][4] He oversaw the transition from steam to modern traction, served as head of the King's Cross and Liverpool Divisions, and retired in 1982 after roles in personnel development.[4] Post-retirement, he became a respected figure in railway preservation, authoring books like *Steam in the Blood* and *Railways in the Blood*, and chairing the Steam Locomotive Operators Association.[3][4]