Meeting Reports

Tuesday 18th May 2010
Travels around South Africa
David Walker

On Tuesday 18th May, we welcomed back to Cambridge David Walker after a gap of over three years. This time we were treated to slides of David's travels around South Africa. The start of the show was at Pretoria where we saw views of Capital Park Shed with a number of different steam classes stabled including a 1914 built Class 15 and an S2 0-8-0 shunter.Numerous views of workings around the area followed but one shot of a preserved 16B Pacific standing outside the front of Pretoria station showed a commonplace practice of displaying withdrawn locomotives.

Continuing south, Johannesburg gave more views of pacifics and 4-8-2s. Although only 3ft 6in gauge, some pacific classes had boilers as large as an A4's. Particular comment was made of the design of the shed roof there. A number of electric workings and colliery workings were seen in the area. At Kimberley, both steam and electrics were seen on shed. In the Orange River area, we were at last treated to a series of shots of Garratts working. As we came to the Cape Town area, we saw numerous examples of different types of coaching stock including double deck suburban stock.We also saw many examples of embellishments on locomotivess including the practice of naming the engine after the driver's wife. No trip would be complete without a sight of the Blue Train and we saw it with 3 diesel locomotives on the front.

After the break, David showed scenes along the Garden Line which runs east along the coast. We saw a shot of a unique coaling facility where locomotives go down a slope into a cutting to be coaled from ground level. A visit to George, the home of the country's preservation movement gave us a number of shots including Class 19D 2749 in blue livery. Beyond George, we were treated to a stunning view of a train on a viaduct beside the Indian Ocean. At Port Elizabeth, we ventured onto 2 foot gauge tracks with Garratts working over steep grades and round sharp curves. Weed clearance was performed by men riding on the front of the engine with machetes as the climate meant that the line could be rapidly overgrown.

A wonderful slide presentation to conclude our 2009/10 season enjoyed by all present.

Tuesday 20th April 2010
The Last Four Years of Steam
George Howe

On Tuesday 20th April we welcomed George Howe, a retired signalman who gave a presentation on the last years of steam operation on British Rail from 1964 to 1968. It was a personal look at the railway scene during those years with slides taken on numerous trips around the country and quite a few miles covered on a Vespa scooter which was carried in the brake vans on some of the train journeys.

Starting in 1964 on the East Coast mainline, the first shot was of a Deltic which by then were in charge of most expresses. A B1 on a parcels train and a 9F on freight proved that steam were still working South of Peterborough at that time. Moving into 1965, a trip around the Oxford area gave us a Standard 5 on a car train, a Manor on coal empties and 35023 on a Pines Express. The same year gave us shots of Austerities around Wakefield, Electric 20002 at Clapham Junction and Scots Guardsman at Carlisle.

In 1966 various trips took us to Crewe with 75 loco's in steam on shed, Fratton, Guildford where we saw a mail train with green coaches- a surprise to some of us. Other tips took in Saltley, Shrewsbury, Derby and the Isle of Wight.

The following two years saw us visit the North-east with a nice shot of the coal staithes at Blyth, various locations around Leeds and Manchester including Rose Grove and Lostock Hall. George included several obsolete diesel types in his presentation as well as numerous atmospheric shots at different sheds. The evening was a very nostalgic look at the railway scene through a period that would change the railways for ever.

Tuesday 16th March 2010
A to Z of Engine Sheds in steam days -- Part 3
Chris Banks

Once again it was a pleasure to welcome Chris Banks back to Cambridge to see part 3 of his alphabetical tour of the steam sheds of England, Scotland and Wales. The journey recommenced at Consett with a general view of the shed and yard with locos associated with the area. From there we moved to Crewe North where we saw many fine shots of Jubilees, Patriots, Scots and a Duchess. A short trip brought us to Crewe South which in Chris's words was more "spotter friendly" than the North shed. Here we saw a fine shot of Jubilee 45563 Australia on the turntable as well as the more usual fare of Black 5's and Ivatts.

Moving North-East we came to Darlington where we were treated to a large array of LNER locos ranging from A2 60527 Sun Chariot from Polmadie to Y1 Sentinel 68153. Derby came next where we saw such treats Midland Compound 4-4-0 No.1111 in 1938 to the 0-10-0 Lickey banker together with Kitson 0-4-0's, Jubilees and BR standards.

Doncaster gave us shots of ex-works A4 60033 Seagull, W1 4-6-4 60700 as well as B1's, V2's, a B16 61444 and B17 61606 Audley End. Dorchester and Duffryn Yard followed before arriving in Scotland visiting Dumfries, Dundee and Dunfermline. Travelling South, we arrived at Eastbourne, our last shed of the evening and fittingly, the final shot was of 80154, the last Brighton built locomotive. As usual, Chris gave us a full history of the visited sheds as well as details relating to structures such as coaling towers, water towers and building alterations and costs. Altogether, a very informative and enjoyable evening and we look forward to part 4 of the series.

Tuesday 16th February 2010
Steaming through Britain
Graham Briggs

Tuesday 16th February saw the welcome return to Cambridge of Graham Briggs with his DVD presentation of "Steaming round Britain". The show included footage of a large number of the steam specials that ran over the mainline during 2009 as well as coverage of a number of events at fifteen different heritage railway sites.

Some of the mainline specials were filmed in atrocious weather conditions whilst others were seen running on sunny days with snow lying which meant plenty of smoke and noise. On the heritage railways, some of the footage gave the illusion of pre-nationalisation days, a credit to both the railway and Graham's skill with the video camera and selection of location for filming.

Once again it was a thoroughly enjoyable show much appreciated by all the members and guests who were present.

Tuesday 19th January 2010
On and Off the footplate
Bill Davies

The first meeting of 2010 was an extremely entertaining one presented by Bill Davies, a retired railwayman with over forty years service. Bill started the evening by recounting his career starting at Toton in 1964 with tales of cleaning Class 44's on one side only and a round gentleman stuck in the engine compartment of a brand new Class 47. His career took him to Nottingham where shed closures forced a move to the Great Central in 1966. A move to Kings Cross followed where he passed as a driver and then to the Southern before joining Bedford in 1978 where he stayed until retirement. Bill showed numerous slides covering various aspects of his career as well as childhood holiday memories including the Liverpool overhead railway and trams. The stories of events and characters where he had worked were almost too funny to be true at times. For a thoroughly enjoyable evening with man who understands railways, I would recommend Bill Davies to any branch.

Tuesday 15th December 2009
AGM followed by Members' slides

On Tuesday 15th December, the Branch held its 2nd AGM. After a successful meeting, the current officers and committee were re-elected we continued with the less formal part of the evening. Four of those present showed us a varied selection of slides. The first was a selection from Trevor who included shots from his trips to China, Ecuador, Germany, Pakistan and Switzerland together with some nearer home including his local station of Meldreth. Mike Page treated us to Austrian narrow gauge, Polish steam and some of his tinplate models in his garden in the snow.

After a break with festive mince pies, Brent Hudson showed slides he hadn't viewed before. These included a splendid view of Bryce Canyon in Nevada, Blue Peter in 1992, steam in Russia, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch and the Folkstone Harbour Branch. Dave Theobald rounded the evening off with slides of steam on a trip to Russia and some Irish steam workings. It was a pleasant end to our 2009 season's programme.

Tuesday 17th November 2009
The Waverley Route
Derek Lovell

On Tuesday 17th of November, we welcomed Northampton member Derek Lovell with his presentationof the history of the Waverley route and a look at the present day redevelopment at the northern endof the line. Derek began by giving a brief history of the line which was constructed in two stages, Edinburghto Hawick in 1849 and then Hawick to Carlisle in 1862 and finally closed on 6th January 1969.Much of the presentation was set around Easter 1978 when Derek set out to walk as much of route as he couldover the Easter weekend. Starting at Carlisle, we saw views of the trackbed at that time interspersed with somewonderful shots of trains at the same locations when the line was operational. Many classes of locomotives featuredincluding A2's, V2's, B1's and K3's as well as diesels such as 26's, 40's and Claytons. We were shown station viewsand trains working on several of the branches along the route.

A later visit to the area showed work being undertaken to reinstate the line, particularly in and around Galashiels.In 2006, a view of the new station at Newcraighall showed a class 158 unit which operate a half hourly timetableto Edinburgh. The final slide of the evening was a shot of Waverley station in the late 1930's with a train for Carlisle.It was well researched and presented programme thoroughly enjoyed by the members and guests present.

Tuesday 20th October 2009
Out and About with Hugh Gould, Society President

Society President Hugh Gould was the guest at the Branch meeting on October 20thwhen he entertained the members and visitors with his "Out and About " presentation.

Hugh started off in Glasgow with a view of a refurbished Cross-country HST at Central Station. From there we were taken to numerous locations, too many to name, in England,Scotland and Wales and there were slides of quite a variety of locomotives and multiple units.Hehad also undertaken a number of trips to the continent including Belgium, France, Holland, Luxembourg and Spain. Shots of trams and small boats as well as several classes of locomotivesand units were seen.

Last year's Members' Weekend provided views of 30926 Repton and 63395 at Grosmont.The AGM at Derby was represented by shots of DMUs and locos on the Wirksworth branch although Hugh did regret at not getting a trip in the Derby lightweight unit.There was also a shot of the 8F resplendent in maroon at Rowsley. Ships and buses were not forgotten and animals were included by way of a shot of horses in the shadow of Welwyn viaduct.

It was delightfully entertaining evening enjoyed by all present.

Tuesday 15th September 2009
Oxford to Cambridge - Then and Now
Richard Crane

For the first meeting of the new season, we welcomed Richard Crane who gave atalk on the history of the Oxford to Cambridge line illustrated with slides of howthe line was and views of many of the same locations as they appear today.

The first part of the route to open we were told was the Bedford to Bletchley sectionin 1846 followed in 1851 by the Oxford to Bletchley section. Starting the journey atOxford Rewley Road which closed in 1951 and is now rebuilt at Quainton Road RailwayCentre, we travelled east and saw then and now views of stations and structures on route as well as being given a few historical facts about some of the locations. AtSwanbourne, there was a hedge trimmed to represent an 0-8-0 locomotive. On reaching Bletchley we saw a shot of the experimental diesel railcars.

Leaving Bletchley, our journey took us along the oldest but still operational route toBedford. Passing Fenny Stratford and Bow Brickhill we came to Woburn Sands formerly Hogsty End where we saw a shot of an LNWR steam rail motor. Continuingtowards Bedford we saw a 1917 shot of an 0-8-0 Jumbo heading for Cambridge atRidgmont Station which is due to be redeveloped. Through the now closed brickworks at Millbrook and Stewartby we soon reached Bedford St Johns, now a shadow of itsformer self where we saw Crosti boilered 92021 bound for Goldington power station.

In 1984 trains were able to continue to Midland Road station over a section of the former branch to Hitchin giving a direct link between the Midland and West Coast mainlines.

Beyond Bedford, no track remains, much of the trackbed becoming a cycleway to Willington. Richard showed views of what remains at Blunham, the shortlived Girtford Halt (1938-40), Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay, Old North Road and Lord's Bridge. A fine shot of Sandringham 61671 at Cambridge ended the evening's presentationwhich was well researched and presented and obviously dear to Richard's heart.