The Bluebell Railway‘s board has co-opted Tony Astor as its new Infrastructure Director and follows the footsteps of Barry Luck who took the position in 2020 for an agreed three-year period.

Tony is an excellent choice for the position with the well-loved heritage railway after serving almost 40 years in the airport sector with around 20 years at Heathrow with British Airports Authority at a senior level. During his time with BAA, Tony was mainly focused on jet fuel infrastructure projects and undertook contract negotiations with regard to the development of new jet fuel facilities for Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

In 2008, Tony began his own airport consultancy business, allowing him to work with several high-profile airports in the Middle East to develop jet fuel infrastructure.

Tony took partial retirement in 2019 and that is when he moved to volunteer project manager for the Bluebell Railway’s Carriage & Wagon department ahead of moving over to Infrastructure where he oversaw the power upgrade project for Horsted Keynes station.

Tony said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the board of the Bluebell Railway. Many businesses are facing unprecedented challenges at the moment, and I hope to be able to bring my business experience in project management and infrastructure development to ensure the Railway’s projects are delivered in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

“Knowing that the volunteers are the backbone of the Railway, I am looking forward to helping them achieve great results as we deliver the future works programme.”

Bluebell Railway plc chairman Paul Churchman said: “We welcome Tony Astor to the board and know he will work tirelessly to build on the great work of Barry Luck in delivering a range of complex infrastructure projects across the Railway. We thank Barry for his service since 2020 and wish him well as he continues with his various volunteer roles at the Bluebell Railway.”