Rob Evans
04-05 2020 12:54
wrote:
Colm was a joy to work with: funny, thoughtful, intelligent. We would chat about every subject under the sun, but our main love was the quirkiness of Northern Irish politics. I really enjoyed his insights, he was well read and had an incredible memory for quotes and details. He was also blessed with a terrific sense of humour, very similar to my own, and there was a lot of laughter during our shifts together. I remember one very sunny day, as the train was passing Downhill, we spotted an ice-cream van on the beach. He called me on the intercom in the back cab and suggested we stop for a Magnum! He was only joking, of course, but when we finally reached Belfast he bought me one during our meal break. I remember laughing my head off at the thought of stopping a passenger train to get an ice cream! That was very much his kind of humour. After I left Translink and moved back to London, we stayed in touch. It was always a joy to catch up with him and Ashlene when I visited Derry.
Colm was also an incredibly determined man, with a strong sense of justice. The fact that the railway in the Northwest is now flourishing, and attitudes to investment in infrastructure have been transformed, is testament to his steady, calm approach. Derry owes this man a great deal, and I’m sure his memory will be cherished for a very, very long time.
Rob Evans
04-05 2020 12:54
wrote:
Colm was a joy to work with: funny, thoughtful, intelligent. We would chat about every subject under the sun, but our main love was the quirkiness of Northern Irish politics. I really enjoyed his insights, he was well read and had an incredible memory for quotes and details. He was also blessed with a terrific sense of humour, very similar to my own, and there was a lot of laughter during our shifts together. I remember one very sunny day, as the train was passing Downhill, we spotted an ice-cream van on the beach. He called me on the intercom in the back cab and suggested we stop for a Magnum! He was only joking, of course, but when we finally reached Belfast he bought me one during our meal break. I remember laughing my head off at the thought of stopping a passenger train to get an ice cream! That was very much his kind of humour. After I left Translink and moved back to London, we stayed in touch. It was always a joy to catch up with him and Ashlene when I visited Derry.
Colm was also an incredibly determined man, with a strong sense of justice. The fact that the railway in the Northwest is now flourishing, and attitudes to investment in infrastructure have been transformed, is testament to his steady, calm approach. Derry owes this man a great deal, and I’m sure his memory will be cherished for a very, very long time.
