John Allison successfully made the transition from Law and Administration roles at Comhairle nan Eilean, Sutherland District Council - where he was its last chief executive - and from 1996 the new Highland Council to a mission in supporting his first love, the railways, which also found expression in modelling and his involvement in the Highland Railway Society.

As secretary of the Highland Rail Partnership at the right hand of such notable chairs as John Farquhar Munro and Charlie King, he worked with rail development manager Frank Roach on such notable causes as the reopening of Beauly Station, introduction of all-year Sunday trains and tailoring of cascaded Class 158 trains to the needs of the Highlands.

A diabetic, he rightly reminded ScotRail of the need to make suitable provision on its catering trolleys. Retiring to his native Ayrshire, he did not allow deteriorating eyesight to prevent his interest in the railways, and served from 2007 as secretary of the Highland Railway Society, continuing on its committee until 2016.

John's Christmas card was often the first to arrive, containing a handwritten account of his family news which culminated last year in the passing of his beloved Shirley. I last saw him a few years ago, when I had the pleasure of showing him round the newly reinvigorated station in his home-town of Kilmarnock.