Russell GLENDINNING Obituary

A group of Nelson steam enthuisists are greatful for Russell coming to Pigeon Valley Steam Museum and examining us 7 on 26th Nov 16. It was a pleasure to be aquanted with such a legend. Our condolances to Family and associates,

Thank you Russell for our great working life together in Bluff. Heaps of hiliarious memories of our time together,you the driver and me the fireman. Great guy.

thankyou Russell for a truly unique childhood that myself and all the other miss match of kids who grew up riding the Flyer with you will never forget! Much love and gratitude from us all!!

Dear Russell, It was a great pleasure to spend time with you. Your intelligence, kindness, and sense of humour made you one of life's gentlemen. I am just sorry that we couldn't get the Flyer back up and running before you left us. I hope you have found some beautiful steam trains to play with upstairs :) Love, Kerry

Good memories of Russell when we worked on the Kingston Flyer.

Great bloke and a good friend to our family
will be missed by anyone who new him

Dear Russell, so pleased I caught up with you end of last month, I first met you in April of 87 when I had a cab ride on the flyer, you even stopped the train so I could hop out and take a photo, then I worked with you a few times when I came down to do work on the flyer, you were an amazing man and someone that everyone could look up to, go in peace you will never be forgotten.

Steve Jones

A truly wonderful and selfless man, you took me in when I was homeless. You clothed and fed me. You mentored and cared for me when there was no one else in my life that I could turn to. You guided me and kept me to the straight and narrow. A lifetime of gratitude and love, thank you Russell rest in peace.

Fond memories of you Russell through my time working at the Lumsden Railway Station , the many trips and fun had on the Flyer.RIP

love to you all

As a steam driver on holiday from England I had the pleasure of meeting you on the Flyer.Some years later You passed me out for steam in New Zealand. As always a true professional and kind and friendly man. One of a dwindling band with steam in the blood.Rest in Peace mate.

Russell, I only met you a few times but was impressed by your sincerity,quiet determined confident manner. I remember dad (Andrew ) saying you both starting loco school in Dunedin the same day & hearing tales of shenanagins of that era . NZ has lost a hometown hero but you will not be forgotten.RIP> Les Glendinning (2nd cousin ) Timaru.

R I P Russell

So very sorry to hear this news. My Dad Owen Rizzi worked on the Railway with Russell in there early 70s and although they might not have seen eye to eye, Russell came out of retirement on April 8th 2006 and drove the Flyer for us; Craig and I were married in the Refreshment Carriage. The Railways have truly lost an icon. - Jackie (near Rizzi) and Craig Greenall

Russell you were such a treasure. You gave your time and skills- sharing with anyone who asked! Your hospitality was outstanding... and I'd giggle quietly to myself each time a pot was wiped out before dinner was dished up. You and your home were always so inviting. Kia kaha. Much love Vic Blair

Fond memories of a great guy,
Always remembered

Russ, you were a great friend, you taught me so much and we had a lot of fun along the way. I will keep your memory alive with the skills I gained from you. Go easy my friend

A man that didnt stand still always helping everbody you gave so much of your time and energy . a great mentor. you may have run out of steam but you will always remembered. Rest in peace Russell

Dear Russell, you were like a big brother to me even changing my nappies as a baby! Mum loved feeding you especially her ginger crunch and Dad picked you to be The Flyer driver, the rest is history. You were MC at my wedding (even though I always wanted to marry you as a youngster!)... So many memories from our holidays at Tautuku and numerous trips on The Flyer. You can rest now Russell, see you around x

A true gentleman and a real asset to the whole community.

Russell, you made a great contribution to Rail heritage. Rest in peace.

Rest in Peace. Regards Donna Ferguson (née Vaughan)

A great friend and mentor throughout my younger years. A gentleman and loyal worker with a true passion for the Flyer. Rest In Peace Russell. Now is your time to Rest.

I met you briefly many years ago Russell, and we spoke for around 12-15 minutes, you would not remember it but I certainly do. What you did for me in your last few days of life, by way of recertification, will never be forgotten, and receiving the certificate in the mail on the day you passed will be in my memory forever. I will get to see you again one day in that great depot in the sky, and until then, may the track always be clear. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

my second father in 1972 great times and big memories keep on steaming Glaxo . Graeme Linton Ashburton

RIP Russell A great man with a passion for the Kingston Flyer
Very valuable memory's of a young boy in Lumsden with you letting me help turn the flyer around after trips to Kingston a memory not many young people could say they drove a steam train
Also a few travels to Kingston in the Deisel electric before the line closed Thank you Russell Jim Anderson (Son of Keith Anderson)

A good man and mentor. Always up for a laugh and keen to share his knowledge. R.I.P Russel you be be very much missed.

Probably New Zealand's greatest engineman, Russell Glendinning is a name that everyone knows. His greatest legacy was the memories from those who rode 'The Flyer', and for those who never managed to, the wonderful film 'A train for Christmas' allows them to respect the man and his love for the train. We've lost a great man. Rest in peace Russell

Russell you have always been a huge part of our lives for a lot of years. Love that you kept John on straight and narrow, maintaining a sense of humour through out.
When we had girls you were asked to be Susan's god father. Rember the train rides home from Dunedin you often let girls ride home up front with you. John always knew who was driving!
Love to your family. Rest in peace and say hi to John in heaven.
Always in our hearts.
Pam, Susan and Angela Taylor. Auckland NZ. Xox

Russell you were a great work mate back in the 60s in Invercargill. I do have good memories of us working together on the trains. Now R.I.P as you were a good co worker. My deepest sympathy to your family.
Colin Mudgway, Gold Coast Australia

Russell you were a great friend back in those young years while on the railway in Invercargill. We had such fun together in our little group.. Thank you for those lovely memories. Faye Sargeant @ the late Ted Felton.

So sad Russell will always be remembered for his love of the Kingston Flyer a true Railwayman Rest in Peace Russell Steam on

It was 4 years ago since i had a big hug and a laugh with my only first cousin Russell .I regret we could not share more times together but Russell was in the fast lane and always on the run helping others.REST IN PEACE .Betty Frewen Nee Sage Tuatapere

So sad to see you steam away to where the great railway guys go to. Have tremendous memories of times together in Lumsden and Kingston and especially that weekend in Middlemarch with the railcar and steam engines. You really enjoyed that as we all did.
Your dedication to the Steam railway groups will never be forgotten but more importantly what you did to keep the Flyer in action is a legacy to be remembered. Just a pity you can't have have one last journey with her.
Rest easy and steam freely.
Allan Boyer

Wonderful Memories of Russell and the Kingston Flyer. A man that loved Kingston and the Flyer and brought much happiness to tourists and New Zealanders. Was so proud of his Flyer a true Railways man. You will be missed Russell but remembered so fondly by many people.

Rest in Peace Russell thank you for so much and such a great human being and a gentleman of the Footplate ..

Russell will be sadly missed. A real gentleman and genuine railwayman.

Rest in peace Russell.

GLENDINNING,
Russell McLennan:
Admired grandfather and humble philanthropist Russell Glendinning gave his time selflessly for those in need. Teaching by way of example Russell always had the unfailing quality of love in his eyes and was an exemplar for his grandchildren to look up to. With his final whistle sounding and steam in his veins Russell departs us on his final adventure.