Obituary: Mark Orsman FSaRS

I first met Mark when he came joined Lloyd’s Register Rail (now Ricardo Rail). He and I worked closely together on the Great Western Electrification Project and Great Western Route Modernisation. It was always enjoyable to be in his company, we had some good laughs in the office and my wording of Observation Records and particularly clarity of the wording improved again through Mark’s input. He was very knowledgeable about railway and spent a lot of time “riding the cushions” in the UK and overseas. Whilst he was at WSP he took to increasing his collection of train name boards, mostly from overseas and he was always delighted to show me his latest additions.

I gained a huge amount from knowing Mark, I kept in touch after he left WSP, but unfortunately, with the COVID restrictions I was not able to meet up for a meal and a drink at Walthamstow as we did when I visited London regularly.  He will be missed by his colleagues in WSP, Ricardo and of course TfL. I have lost a friend and source of broad and fascinating railway knowledge.
Peter Sheppard
SaRS Chair

Mark’s family released this statement:

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Mark Orsman passed away on the 8th April 2021 at the age of 59.

I’ve been advised that Mark had cirrhosis as well as other illness when he passed away.

Mark was well known and respected across London Underground, with many of his former colleagues now working across the wider TfL family.

LU was a significant part of Mark’s life and his family have said “Mark’s soul was always with London Underground and he was wanting to return to work in LU again…” sadly this never had the opportunity to happen.

Mark’s early career was in Fleet where he held roles including: leader of the Rolling Stock Safety Task Force following the King’s Cross station fire; Client Engineer for rolling stock development and Senior Engineer for Train Audit.

He left for few years to take up new challenges in the private sector undertaking senior and director roles on Chiltern Railways.

Mark returned to LU during PPP as Head of Assurance for Metronet establishing the new technical assurance regimes with LU. He was the Programme Chief Engineer on the VLU and then the Head of Assurance for the Sub-Surface Upgrade programme until he left at the end of 2014. Mark subsequently undertook consultancy with Ricardo Rail and WSP.

A memorial page has been set up to allow friends and colleagues to leave messages of condolence or to share other memories we have about Mark, for his family.

This can be found on the www.remembr.com website.

Using this link to access Mark’s page Mark Orsman

Please note you will need to register and activate an account on the website to leave your message. This can be done using Facebook or an email address.