HEARTFELT tributes have today been paid to a man who lived and died on the railway.

Geoffrey Humphrey, a former railway engineer and railway enthusiast, was found dead in a carriage of the Peterborough to London Liverpool Street train between Manningtree and Ipswich about 7pm on Tuesday, March 3.

Mr Humphrey was returning home to Dovercourt from a trip to Lincolnshire where he had been visiting family.

His son, Toby Humphrey, of Brantham, said: “He had just enjoyed a trip away to visit family and on the Saturday he and some of his grandchildren had gone on a nine mile walk on the Yorkshire Dales.

“There was never a dull moment when my dad was around, he was known for turning up in nice bright clothes and he always had a good story to tell.”

The 78-year-old had just finished compiling a memoir of his time on the railway and had also helped to raise thousands of pounds for various charities over the years.

Today, the former Brantham Scout leader was remembered for his enthusiasm and fondness for people.

Keith Nixon, 48 , of Capel St Mary , was a scout in the late 1970s while Mr Humphrey led the Brantham group.

He said: “It was such a shock to hear of his death because, Geoffrey, in everybody’s eyes, will go on forever.

“He was a character. The one thing you can say about him is that he was just such a wonderful person.

“He never judged anybody, he treated everyone with gruffness, that sounds funny, but he just loved people, he really did.”

Mr Nixon added: “He taught me an awful lot and we all thought the world of him.”

Mr Humphrey took over 1st Brantham Scouts in the early 1970s and ran it for about seven years.

The 78-year-old lived in Dovercourt and had five children, 18 grand-children and seven great grandchildren.

His family are planning a memorial service for him and he is due to be buried at the Woodland of Remembrance in Wrabness.

The cause of his death is not yet known.