Graham's programme was in two parts, the first part showing excellent quality DVD footage of preserved line steam action during the first half of this year. The lines visited ranged from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway up to the North Yorkshire Moors and Scotland. The locomotives on show included guest engines as well as some of the residents on the 14 different lines visited. There was also footage of the inaugural runs of both 70013 and the new A1 Tornado on the Great Central Railway.

After a refreshment break, we enjoyed over an hour of footage showing steam on the mainline. Subjects ranged from 76079 working on the Cambrian coast and at Todmorden on a Cotton Mill Express to Scots Guardsman on the Settle and Carlisle. All five days of workings on the North Briton were also covered. The locations that Graham had chosen for filming all showed the locomotives looking and sounding their best as they worked their trains.

The quality of the production made for an altogether thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment for all those present.

Tuesday 16th September
Scenic splendour of the Settle & Carlisle line
Colin Fisher

On the 16th September the Branch welcomed back Colin Fisher who presented a selection of his slides of the Settle to Carlisle line. Colin has travelled the line numerous times and stayed at various locations along its route. His talk covered the origins of the line as well as how the line was constructed. Starting at Settle Junction, we were treated to shots of the stations, viaducts and tunnels. At each location, Colin described the different problems that were encountered and how the engineers overcame them. The different construction techniques used along the various sections of the line were described in some detail.

The motive power using the line consisted mainly of class 66's and 60's on the heavy coal and gypsum trains that ply the line today. Many of the shots were taken at classic locations but some were from harder to reach points but they all portrayed the magnificent scenery of the line. Passenger trains were represented not only by DMU's but also by class 37's, 67's, 50's and 33's hauling trains. As the line is an important diversion route today during WCML closures, Colin included shots of pendelinos being dragged and voyagers on the line. This was well researched and illustrated presentation and I reccommend other branches invite Colin Fisher to their meetings.

Tuesday 15th April
Royal Working with Steam from Cambridge Shed (31A)
Bill Last

April's meeting saw us entertained by Bill Last, a railway man with great technical knowledge and some wonderful railway memories.Despite being 90 years old and with failing eyesight, Bill gave us a very informative and at times amusing presentation.

The son of a Suffolk road haulage contractor who owned 4 traction engines, Bill informed us that he was born with steam in his blood. The family moved to Cambridge while Bill was still young and in 1932 he joined the railway as a trainee fitter at a time when Cambridge had an allocation of 90 locomotives. After 4 years he progressed to the footplate as a fireman, then later as a driver, the job he would do until retirement and see him through the eras of steam, diesel and electric.

The slides Bill showed us were mainly of locomotives and trains on routes radiating from Cambridge over which he had driven trains himself. There were a number of shots of race day specials to Newmarket with Atlantics and Pacifics providing the motive power. Bill said he liked Newmarket station in those days and showed several views of the station, signal box and the horses that pulled wagons in the yard.

After the break we were treated to a variety of views of Cambridge station and the yards, some taken from unique vantage points. Some of the views are barely recognisable today. One of the final shots was of Bill on the footplate of a G.W. Manor class which brought a comment "Gresley Was Right" from the audience.

The turnout was nearly double that of previous meetings, testament to the affection Cambridge railway enthusiasts have for Bill. I know Bill would like us to thank Dave Theobald who helped him sort the slides and operate the projector

Tuesday 18th March
York to Newcastle concluded, followed by an East Anglian Miscellany
Dave Beecroft

On the 18th March we welcomed the return of Dave Beecroft to complete our fictitious journey from Kings Cross to Newcastle in the late fifties and early sixties. The original run having been beset by delay had been terminated at York.

Locomotives classes varied from A4s on top link expresses and parcel trains, to freight engines on more mundane workings, even a Deltic made an appearance. Following a couple of diversions to Scarborough and along the Leamside line, where there was a splendid image of the viaduct, we all to soon arrived at Newcastle.

David completed the evening showing slides of both steam and diesel workings on various lines radiating from Cambridge and pictures of the long closed stations at Haverhill, Mildenhall and Fordham brought back memories for several of those present.

Tuesday 19th February
Thirty Two Years Down the Tube
David Carson

'32 Years down the Tube' was the intriguing title set by presenter Dave Carson at our meeting on the 19th February. Dave commenced employment with London Underground in 1974 initially with the Civil Engineers' Bridge & Structures Office, moving on to the Permanent Way Design Office and then to a consultancy role within London Transport International. His final two career moves saw him first as Fleet Safety and Quality Co-ordinator at Upminster and finally as an auditor with Metronet Rail. As can be imagined with such a long and varied career he had a vast amount of experience and knowledge of the rail industry which he imparted upon us with an easy and amusing style backed by slides which showed some of the problems encountered from a professional point of view. Once again we were fortunate to be treated to an evening with a difference.

Tuesday 15th January
Life and Times on the GNER - a Driver's Perspective
Colin Fisher

For the first meeting of the New Year we welcomed Colin Fisher, a driver at Kings Cross who gave us a presentation entitled 'Life and Times on the GNER - a Driver's Perspective'. Colin began the evening with a brief summary of his career which began at Harwich Parkeston Quay and following a series of moves, including a spell with Railtrack, to the present day where he works from Kings Cross on driver assessments. He described the ECML heritage of steam and diesel passenger service standards which GNER were determined not only to emulate but surpass. We saw numerous images of rolling stock both externally and their interiors, including a pair of wine glasses with the company crest which showed the quality of service associated with the company. In the final part of the evening we were treated to detailed views of all the depots that serviced GNER trains and the same of the various locomotives that worked the trains.He gave first hand accounts of the improved performance of refurbished Class 91s and the MTU re-engined HSTs.

He then went on to cover driver training and the driver work rosters. Colin actually volunteered for a special roster which meant taking a train containing a Class 373 power car and a refurbished MK IV carriage to York for Railfest in 2004. This was an evening which gave a unique insight into the life of a modern day driver and the operating knowledge that he requires to carry out his allotted tasks.

Tuesday 18th December 2007
Light on the Lines
Mike McCormac

The darkest days of the year were upon us, when an enthusiast Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society Mike McCormac made his power point presentation called 'Light on the Lines'. Aided by wife Pam, a professional photographer in her own right, we were entertained to a very polished performance in six parts. The sequences were entitled Sunny Days, Dull Days, Each end of the Day, China, Gritty Mono and Night. Mike admitted his photography was inspired by Colin T. Gifford, with I am sure some subtle hints from Pam. His unorthodox approach to photographing not only locomotives and infrastructure, but by bringing people into the scene as well,provided the atmosphere that makes good photography. Throughout the evening Mike continued to prove his own quote ' a picture can always be made whatever the situation and given favourable conditions, the possibilities are unlimited'!.

Tuesday 20th November 2007
BR Steam Miscellany
Derek Barham

On November 20th, Derek Barham once again provided us with a further selection from his slide collection. This time, the subject was 'Steam Miscellany', which gave Derek the chance to show a selection of GWR, Southern & LMS Locomotives.

Starting with the GWR, the motive power ranged from pannier tanks through to the Kings. Likewise, his Southern selection covered a range of classes through to the Merchant Navy's, with a comment on the leader class, saying 'this was British Railways attempt to roast a fireman'. The LMS selection gave Derek the chance to reminisce on the virtues of different classes he had worked on, particulaly over the Cambridge to Bletchley route.

To finish the evening, Derek revisited his LNER roots with a choice of shots of A4's in various liveries and nameplates carried during their working lives. Altogether another very enjoyable evening.

November 2008