Northampton
Meeting Reports
Monday 23rd January 2012
London Underground – Trains and Stations
Brian Hardy
At the Weston Favell afternoon meeting of 23rd January the large audience were the beneficiaries of a splendid presentation of a subject that has rarely been tackled at Northampton; "London Underground-Trains and Stations" by Brian Hardy. The London Underground is the oldest in the world, the first section opening in 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon by the Metropolitan Railway. Firstly we were introduced to the two types of stock, Tube and Sub-surface and then the types of stock currently operating on the different lines. The oldest operating being Sub-surface "A" stock on the Metropolitan Line some units of which are over 50 years old and the oldest Tube stock still operating being 1972 MKIIs on the Bakerloo Line.
Then we glimpsed the past, looking at the type of stock we all remembered on early visits to the capital, then the aluminium bodied unpainted trains of which some, lasted surprisingly enough until 4 years ago! Scenes from the Aylesbury service, loco changing at Rickmansworth were all incorporated in this part of the programme before we moved onto the stations, and what a revelation they turned out to be! Brian captivated the audience with a thoroughly informative and fascinating show, which will make us all more aware of our surroundings when we next ride the system.
Monday 9th January 2012
Archive Railway Cine Films from the 1920s and 1930s
Mike Leech
Our first meeting of the New Year was an evening one at the Duston venue, when we welcomed Mike Leech who presented a series of short "Archive Railway Cine Films" of both the pre and post war periods. Mike 'kicked off' with some magnificent and locally to us, footage at Rugby station, shot at the time of the 1948 locomotive exchange trials. There were views of many of the usual LMS locomotive types of that period on the move, some, like an unidentifiable streamlined Princess Coronation in extremely filthy condition. Of particular interest was the appearance of visiting ex LNER A4 Lord Farringdon and the ex SR Belgian Marine each pulling test trains.
Next we moved onto Leamington Spa, as it was pre war, there was a terrific variety of mostly GWR machinery. This was immediately followed by a trip along the old SMJ from Fenny Compton to Stratford. The lead up to our interval was spent at Glasgow St. Enoch which included film of several G&SWR Baltic Tanks in action - you don't see these every day!
The latter part of the evening was taken up with commercially produced films which included "A Day at Waterloo Station" during WW2 and in depth look at the amazing variety of railway jobs that women undertook during the war. This excellent evening was concluded with a short look at many of the branch lines which were nearing the end of their existence., of particular interest to the audience was the ride along the "Nobby" - Wolverton to Newport Pagnell branch.
Monday 19th December 2011
Westwards from Dover looking for Steam about 1960
Peter Groom
After a long sequence of successful booked programmes, for the second time in five meetings on the 19th December the booked speaker was unable to be with us, namely Society stalwart David Cole. Due to an accident at home which necessitated a visit to the main Works. However, I am pleased to report he is now recovering on the home Shed and we wish him a speedy return to the mainline.
A very good friend of the Branch Peter Groom agreed to stand in at short notice making the point of saying that he could not offer a choice of presentations and it would have to be "Westwards from Dover in Search of Steam". We were glad that there was no choice! The afternoon was terrific! Peter was at his witty and vocal best, the pictures, all taken in the 50s and 60s were splendid together with a super detailed continuous commentary. We now know the detailed differences in various handrails and Bullied tenders. The show started at Dover with 0-4-0 tank loco. 30084 and other shed scenes before moving on to Folkestone to cover the harbour branch bankers and other local branch engines. Then to Ashford for the sight of some wonderful Maunsell types. Three Bridges, Brighton, Havant, Hayling Island, Fratton, Isle of Wight, Eastleigh, Weymouth, Yeovil Town and Exmouth Junction sheds were all covered.
Peter admits to being "big" on locomotives and not so interested in railways (non loco. scenes) although we were treated to great pictures on the Hayling Island branch and the train in the street at Weymouth. We saw mostly Southern Railway or its constituent products, with some LMS and GWR machinery at the western end of the area covered. The old Southern Region although comparatively small boasted a large number of locomotive types, and we saw lots of them!
Monday 5th December 2011
AGM and Christmas Entertainment
5th December was the date of the Branch 65th Annual General Meeting, as is usual of more recent times the business part of the evening was concluded in a "quick fire" 40 minutes with all the current committee members being re-elected en bloc, together with volunteer Bill Blowfield. This welcome addition brought the number of Committee members in total to nine, the highest at Northampton for some considerable time. Festive refreshments courtesy of Mrs. Patsy Clayson were then taken during an interval before three members Ron Hart, Bob Hunt and Tommy Tomalin made their light hearted cameo presentations to the audience, significantly more in number than some previous AGM's. Ron was first up with a number of pictorial illusions the most amazing of which was Battersea Power Station masquerading as St. Pancras station with the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower in the background complete with "Euro Stars". Bob provided a more down to earth tour of the Isle of Man in the mid seventies to early eighties. Tommy then completed the evening with a series of his "infamous" maps, usually drawn with various coloured marker pens on wallpaper (never the right colour for the railway concerned), the stations and junctions were marked but not identified and the audience had to identify them by questions answered by either "yes" or "No". Needless to say a suitable amount of confusion and hilarity ensued.
Monday 28th November 2011
BR Steam in the 50s and 60s black and white digital presentation
David Kelso
A very high turnout of members and visitors greeted a return visit by David Kelso to the Northampton Branch at the Wellingborough venue on Monday afternoon 28th November. This time he gave a most excellent digital presentation in black and white entitled "Steam in the 50s and 60s". All the pictures were by the speaker himself, the earliest taken on his family "Box Brownie" in 1949 before the purchase of a trusty 35mm Kodak Retina. The gift of a book of railway photography by Eric Treacy during a long convalescence stirred David to decide that he too would set out to take photographs of quality and he succeeded!
Proceedings commenced in earnest with shots on and around Edinburgh Haymarket depot (64B), featured were various 'period piece' locomotives, sometimes these were last of the class still in service in the early 1950s. The depot was well known for the immaculate condition in which it's pacifics were turned out to work major express trains and the photographs of Class A1s 'Holyrood' and Saint Johnstoun' were something to drool over - equal to the condition of 'Tornado' today! as was the especially memorable picture of his grandfather, a top link driver at Ardrossan, standing alongside his GSWR 4-4-0 number 341.
David used his James motorcycle to get to some of the very remote and scenic locations in both Scotland and just over the border. All these superb pictures as mentioned earlier were in black and white, unlike David himself who was in most colourful form with a splendid detailed explanation of each photo and continuous commentary.
Monday 21st November 2011
Midland Main Line - St. Pancras to Leicester
Bob Goodman
As is usual whenever the popular Bob Goodman visits to make a presentation, he is always assured of a large audience and it was no different at the 21st November afternoon meeting at Weston Favell. "The Midland Main Line - St. Pancras to Leicester" was more than familiar to all gathered, all 97 miles of it! Commencing at the magnificent London terminus (thank goodness for Sir John Betjeman) we were treated to scenes ranging from just post war through 60 years to current as indeed we were all the way down the line. Mile by mile Bob gave a running commentary on the stations, signal boxes and junctions coupled with the history and social implications of the areas served as we "stormed" north. Interesting to note that Bob's presentation took almost twice as long to cover the distance as today's proliferation of Meridians and HSTs (67 minutes) against the best service steam timings of 100 minutes.
However, best remembered by the audience were the old days of the line with the steady flow of southbound coal trains and empties running north behind 8Fs and Garratts interspersed with Jubilees and Class 5s on the longer distance passenger trains.
Monday 7th November 2011
Quiz versus LCGB Bedford for ‘The Ashes’ Trophy
Monday, 7th November 2011 was the home leg of the Quiz battle for "The Ashes", Northampton Branch versus LCGB Bedford. The Quizmaster and compiler was once again Brian Benford. For those of us not knowledgeable enough to sit in the frontline, the slides Brian displayed were interesting and informative and made for a great evening without the need to know anything at all! It was nice to occasionally say "well I knew that" without commitment. The atmosphere as usual was most friendly, after all some of those present are members or attendees at both clubs and have to make a choice as to which to support.
There were no fisticuffs but counting ability was sometimes questioned! Brian is an extremely experienced and able QM so the questions were well set with good results (depending on which side that you were on!). Northampton trailed throughout the evening and of the 90 possible points LCGB scored 74 to Northampton's 69
Bill Davies LCGB captain receives the coveted Quiz trophy "The Ashes" from Northampton Branch Chairman John Harrison Ron Hart
Colin Briggs (the new Northampton captain) tastes defeat at the first time of asking in the role and receives the "Dumb Buffer" trophy from Branch Chairman John Harrison. Ron Hart
Monday 24th October 2011
Members Slides
Not a "Clapham Disaster" but a Crewe one! as our speaker for the afternoon was unable to make the meeting time due to a his train being cancelled. However, Monday 24th October was not all doom and gloom as four Branch stalwarts in the form of Ron Hart, Colin Briggs, Tommy Tomalin and Chairman John Harrison came to the rescue. First up was Ron with a medley which ranged from the Cambridge Guided Busway to some immediate post war H. Stretton-Ward black and white cine film of "A Day at Oxford". Colin followed on with a number of images in and around the Carlisle area in the late fifties and early sixties.
After the interval Tommy showed slides of the Cromford & High Peak Railway in the then and now mode, which indicated that those of us who are fit enough could walk it to this day! Chairman John brought up the rearguard with a superb miscellany of his own slides, taken in the mid fifties and mostly on Branch visits, locations that varied from Blackpool to the South Coast and Cornwall to Wales both South and North.
Monday 17th October 2011
The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in LMS days
Noel Coates
Monday, afternoon 17th October brought a visit from Noel Coates with a presentation entitled "The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in LMS Days", subject matter which has been rarely tackled at Northampton in the past. After a brief description of the railway - 600 route miles in an area bounded by Hellifield in the north, Goole in the east, Macclesfield in the south, and Formby in the west, over 1600 locomotives (handed first to the LNWR in 1922 and subsequently to the LMS in 1923), 37000 employees, nearly 300 stations and carrying over one million passengers per week, it was no cinderella outfit!
Noel, developed the power point presentation along the theme of rebadging, replacement, improvement, events and oddities from the beginning of changeover in 1923 with a series of photographs and descriptions which included not only the locomotives but train services and rolling stock. Electrification, rail motors and Manchester Victoria did not get missed either in this highly professional and interesting show.
Monday 10th October 2011
The Midland Re-born
John Downing
On Monday evening 10th October local branch member John Downing made what has now become his annual presentation on the Midland Railway this year entitled "The Midland Re-born". This time we looked at the evolution, devolution and sometimes revolution that had taken place over the eras of the Midland Railway, through the LMS , BR Midland Region and to the present day franchise holders East Midlands Trains. We saw handsome pictures mid Victorian Midland Railway locomotives still in service some 70 years after having been built. We saw much more modern locomotives that had been built using identical or near identical boilers and components. John looked in detail at some of the Derby Locomotive Works buildings then and now, in the process we learnt much about roof trusses!
Much time was spent on St. Pancras Station, which John had visited many times during its amazing transformation into a wonderful International Station. We also were treated to an interesting and unusual look at the present day use as a modern commercial HQ of some of the former Kentish Town (14B) locomotive depot buildings inside and out. The present encumber Murphys (a large construction firm) keep the complex in an excellent state of repair.
Our speaker had started his career as a fireman at Cricklewood (14A) depot, so he was able to give a most interesting insight to railway activities, he evolved into a Head Teacher, but now retired he - "has shovel and can travel".
Monday 26th September 2011
Copyright British Railways - the work of the BR Photographic Unit
John Goss
John Goss was our guest speaker on Monday afternoon 26th September to tell us about "Copyright British Railways - the work of the BR Photographic Units". John explained the reasons for the units which was basically to aid their records in confirming that work had been carried out, publicity purposes and to cover mistakes. Originally the various regional units made up an extensive photographic department but this has been drastically reduced over the years. The majority of the photographs shown were the copyright BR and the negatives are now with the National Rail Museum, however that did not stop us viewing some unique material which could have only been produced with the aid of a pass which gave the holder access to all areas. One particular photograph taken from the top of the wiring train with installation of the overhead catenary actually taking place was fascinating to say the least and not a high vis jacket in sight! A very enjoyable afternoon of railway photography from a different perspective.
Monday 12th September 2011
Part 1 - 1960/70s Railway Memories of Northampton, Part 2 - Constructing replica North Eastern Railway Signals
Craig Donald
Where has the summer gone? We held the first of our new indoor season meetings at Duston on Monday, 12th September, welcoming an old Northamptonian Craig Donald, who had travelled from Pickering to be with us. Craig started the evening by showing pictures of the railway scene around Northampton in the 60s and 70s together with action pictures of the closed branch lines to Bedford, Market Harborough and Wellingborough in a state of being lifted, some even being buried under concrete to build a new expressway! On a lighter note we saw a procession of animals on foot (or hoof) and the equipment of a circus that had arrived by train, would you believe the animals were counted at the station as presumably the fare charged was per head!
The second part of the evening was a fascinating insight into the maintenance and manufacture of line-side signalling and junction equipment at the North Yorkshire Railway where Craig is a volunteer. Most give little thought as to how this "Cinderella" department operates but without it there would be no trains! Wooden signals do rot, cast iron fractures but great effort is made to manufacture new and replacement items to the old North Eastern patterns. All too often this is hard and heavy work onsite and in all weathers.
Monday 5th September 2011
Visit to Colas Rail, Rugby and afterwards lineside at Rugby Station
The last of our outdoor meetings concluded on Monday, 5th September with what has now become a customary visit to Rugby. Although this year it was with a difference incorporating a visit to Colas Rail and the Network Rail Electrical Control Room, both are based on the site of the former Locomotive Works. Indeed part of the Colas building incorporates at least one of the original walls and on this is, has been placed the original LNWR war memorial (which used to be in the locomotive shed) united with the 'Patriot' nameplate. Colas Rail as a company, service the rail industry as a whole with expertise ranging from engineering and trackwork to civils and structures, which also incorporates freight haul but Rugby is one of the depots responsible for the servicing and maintenance of power plant and track equipment, both of their own and Network Rail.
The Network Rail Electrical Control Room is responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of electrical supply to trains on the WCML including the North London dc lines in an area from London Euston to Stafford. We were shown the extremely complex computer controlled electrical diagrams of the track in the vicinity of the various sub-stations and how the power voltage is balanced to allow the trains to operate at maximum efficiency, all together an enlightening experience for most of our party.
Monday 15th August 2011
Visit to the Brunel Museum, Rotherhithe and London Overground Depot, New Cross Gate
Monday, 15th August was a Branch "two for one" day with a morning visit to the Brunel Museum at Rotherhithe and afternoon one to the London Overground depot at New Cross Gate. The museum is housed in the handsome Brunel designed water pumping house on the south bank of the River Thames. Its purpose was to drain the workings during the build of the first ever tunnel under a navigable river (Thames) in the world, commencing at Rotherhithe to Wapping. Designed by Marc Brunel with the young Isambard as Project Engineer it took 18 years to complete due to a number of setbacks. The museums staff were most helpful and friendly and we were treated to a most detailed commentary of the events of the history, design and construction of the tunnel, originally for horse drawn carriages and then pedestrians and now as a railway tunnel on the London Overground system. For the record it is 11m wide, 6m high and 396m in length.
At New Cross Gate our tour was conducted by the Depot Facility Manger together with two assistants. We went just about everywhere, saw just about everything and even went onto the roof at the end of the visit for a superb panoramic view of London. The facility is new and purpose designed and has a superbly equipped main maintenance building which can accommodate four units at any one time, at our visit they were 378136/42/45 and 219. Bombardier are the present contractors for the maintenance of the Class 378s. The operational control room for the southern section of the London Overground system together with its interface with other rail operators is housed in the main Head Quarters building, where the entire operation is monitored and controlled. Much is automatic but manual intervention can and is used in difficult operational circumstances.
Monday 1st August 2011
Visit to the Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum, North Hykeham and travel on ex NCT Bus 129
Our second outing in three days on Monday, 1st August saw over 20 members taking the train from Wellingborough to Hykeham via Nottingham, to visit the Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum. The object of the exercise was not only to visit the splendid museum but to travel on the newly restored ex Northampton Corporation Transport Bus No.129. Withdrawn from the fleet in 1959 after 14 years service the Duple Utility Bodied Daimler CWD6 was rescued after spending 30 years 'on death row' in a scrapyard at Molesworth. That was only the beginning for owner John Childs of a long and expensive labour of love to restore VV 8934 to former glory, which included not only re-building the bodywork but the 8.5 Daimler engine as well!
We were met by the bus at Hykeham station and taken on a one and half hour tour of the city before returning to the museum for lunch prior to an at leisure walk around the vehicles displayed. Amongst the splendidly restored vehicles displayed were two buses formerly owned by deceased RCTS member Tony Peart both AEC Regent 111s with Roe Bodies (supplied to Doncaster Corporation and York Pullman Ltd.). All too quickly this superb visit was over and we were conveyed by 129 from whence we came - Hykeham station some 5 hours earlier!
The Northampton contingent group photograph prior to a 'run past' John Childs
Northampton Branch member Tommy Tomalin tries his hand at fare collection with a vintage Northampton Corporation 'TIM' machine John Childs
Saturday 30th July 2011
Visit to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and Peak Rail
Saturday, 30th July 2011 found a full mini-bus load of members travelling north to Derbyshire to visit two preservation railways, albeit within close proximity of one another. The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway was first 'up', opened to passengers in 1867 by the Midland Railway from Wirksworth to Duffield and closed in 1947 by the LMS, the line continued for the movement of stone traffic until the last in December 1989. Described as merely 'going to sleep', preservation commenced in earnest in 2000 with the line being completely re-opened through to Duffield in April this year. A delightful 8.5 mile journey traversed by DMU. Our visit was much enhanced by being given a 'potted history' of the Branch and a tour of the Wirksworth site.
Part two of our day was to Peak Rail at Rowsley, where we were also greeted and given a detailed explanation of the history of events together with a tour of the massive ex Rowsley MPD site and sidings, now the homes of Heritage Shunters Trust, LMS Carriage Association and the Renown Repulse Restoration Group, all of which were keen to explain their part. Currently operating between Rowsley and Matlock reached earlier this year, (the Matlock -Buxton section was closed in 1968) we enjoyed a trip behind a very hard working Peckett 0-6-0, top and tailed by a Class 31.
The day was a credit to the overall achievement of both groups in connecting with the national rail network in the same year at Duffield and Matlock respectively
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway multiple unit prepares to leave for Duffield - when some Northampton members are ready to board! Roger Tyler
Peak Rail train approaches Matlock Roger Tyler
Monday 18th July 2011
Canal Trip – 2 Boats from Braunston Wharf
Sun, rain and a blustery wind greeted our by now 5th annual canal boat day on Monday, 18th July. The two boats captained by Bill Blowfield and Chris Clayson set off from Braunston onto the Oxford Canal for a four mile journey to a lunch date at Hillmorton, where the WCML and the Northampton loop begin to converge on their way north to Rugby. Once again, by cunning planning we had a straight sail avoiding any locks (we don't do them!), running parallel and between the former GC line and the WCML, one, a hive of activity, the other now silent with only a lone signal gantry still standing to remind us of the past. Sailing in good company, a fine hostelry, who could wish for more!
Saturday 9th July 2011
Visit to Llangollen Railway and Canal Viaduct
Doncaster the previous Monday, and then on Saturday, 9th July our second trip by rail within a six day period, this time to Ruabon for the Llangollen Railway. On arrival at Ruabon we took the bus to Trevor for a coffee break and visit the canal basin at the head of the 200 year old Thomas Telford built Pontcysyllte Aqueduct of the Llangollen Canal, we had previously viewed the lesser Chirk aqueduct from the train as we passed by. After viewing and walking the 330 yards long, 126 feet high aqueduct over the River Dee we returned to use the local bus service into Llangollen.
On arrival at the Railway we were accorded a brief history of the line (Ruabon to Barmouth built 1862 and closed 1968), reborn 1975 and now operating to Carrog (7.5 miles), which included the problems being encountered with the extension to Corwen, where a new station is to be built. There followed a works tour where we viewed several locomotives under repair and the frames laid for the replica grange and Patriot 4-6-0s. Outside in the yard were 'Cogan Hall', Class 5 - 44806 and 'Jinty' 47298 masquerading as 'Thomas' together with a collection of diesels of both BR and industrial origin. Next followed a trip along the line hauled by the well turned out 'Foxcote Manor', steps were then retraced and Northampton regained some 13 hours and twenty minutes after departure, a truly splendid day from every point of view!
Monday 4th July 2011
Line-side observation at Doncaster Station
On Monday, 4th July the Branch made one of their rare excursions outside the home county to complete a line-side six hour plus (11.45 to 18.00) vigil at Doncaster. Apart from the usual busy passenger services (why are so many HST sets running under the wires?), freight traffic accounted to eight movements, four in each direction all Class 66 hauled, the seven hundred series dominating. Other points of interest were the light engine movement of two Class 66s heading south and the Class 08 shunter working 'The Plant'. Two Class 67s were stabled on the works side of Platform 8.
"Welcome to Hexthorpe Home of the Flying Scotsman" (Doncaster Plant sits next to the village of Hexthorpe) Graham Onley
Monday 20th June 2011
Visit to Docklands Light Railway Poplar Depot
A party of 15 members were treated to a splendid two hour visit to the London Docklands Light Railway on Monday, 20th June. The visit was conducted by the Company Secretary together with the Stakeholder and Publicity Manager. The insight into the inner workings of the railway began with an audio visual presentation of the background and operation of the system before being taken to the train control room of this fully automatically operated and signalled, driverless train system. The Controller together with his assistants can view on their monitor screens the position and progress of each train on the system, they can see any of the platforms of the stations and even inside the trains! Electrical power supply to the various sections is controlled and switched from this apparently quiet and serene room. At peak periods 46 - two and three car trains (124 cars in all) are in operation carrying 220,000 passenger per day equating to 78 million per annum. The system comprises of approximately 19 route miles (31km), with Poplar as a centre point radiating to six branches at Stratford, Beckton, Woolwich Arsenal, Lewisham, Tower Gateway and Bank. We were then taken out on the rails for a tour of part of the system and had our numerous questions answered as we travelled.
Group at City Airport station on 20th June Ron Hart
There is to be much more development and upgrading to the railway going hand in hand with the astronomic development of the old dockland area of East London, particularly in association with the 2012 Olympics. During this period - on the busiest days - passenger numbers are expected to reach half a million daily. With passenger traffic at these levels the DLR is certainly not a toy town railway!
Saturday 11th June 2011
Visit to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
"Sixteen go mad in Kent" on the first of our summer Saturday outings on the 11th June to the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Operationally it was a "Gala Day" being "Dr. Syn's" 80th birthday and what a splendid one it was! On shed at the traditional visit was veteran "The Bug", now completely rebuilt after languishing in a Belfast scrapyard, together with 6 other locomotives. The party then travelled to the ancient cinque port of Hythe to board the non stop train to Dungeness Point and back, the 27 mile one and a half journey being well within the capabilities of "Northern Chief". Then to cap a splendid day we were hauled by no less than four locomotives from Hythe to New Romney, where one of the locos was removed but a further two added to make five hauling 22 coaches. The cavalcade was last seen heading for Dungeness behind Dr. Syn, Green Goddess, Hurricane, Samson and Southern Maid, what a sight!
No.2 Northern Chief at Hythe complete with Northampton Branch headboard on 11th June 2011 David Pick
Monday 6th June 2011
Lineside observation at Kettering Station
On Monday, 6th June 2011 a line-side observation was carried out by a dozen or so members at Kettering Station. In the approximately 2 hour long session no fewer than 15 of the usual fare of Class 222 - 0s and 100s were noted together with 6 HSTs and one Class 66 hauled southbound freight. Some members took the opportunity to make the short 9 minute journey to view the relatively new Corby Station, where we were met by a very enthusiastic lady employee of East Midlands Trains who kindly gave us a guided tour of the premises.
Monday 23rd May 2011
Visit to Rushden Historical Transport Society, Rushden Station
Monday, 23rd May saw a large turnout members at our second outdoor meeting of the Summer at the Rushden Historical Transport Society's beautifully preserved Rushden station. This was the intermediate station on the three and a half mile long Midland Railway branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers, that finally closed in 1971. The RHTS have recently extended the line a further 400 yards towards the original terminus and we were treated to brake-van and cab rides in the immaculate 'Dutch' liveried 31206. Also on site they have an ex Blackpool single decked tram and a 1943 Andrew Barclay steam locomotive 'Edmondson' as well as many other interesting vehicles. We then visited the extensive and fascinating station museum before being served an excellent cold buffet and retiring in the traditional Northampton manner to the 'real ale' bar.
31206 at Rushden station on 23rd May 2011 with the Northampton Branch Party Ron Hart
The preserved station building at Reshden, now the headquarters of the Rushden Historical Transport Society Ron Hart
Monday 9th May 2011
Lineside observation at Roade
A pleasant Spring evening heralded our first outdoor meeting on Monday, 9th May. Sixteen members and two kids (goats) assembled at Bridge 209 on the famous cutting. 'Sapper' Clayson led a few of the more active members on a ramble to Bridge 210 and return by the opposite of the cutting. As usual we were treated to the usual fair of numerous Pendolinos and 350s. Freights were in the hands of Class 66s and 92s with the exception of one northbound headed by 70007.
Monday 18th April 2011
The A to Z of Engine Sheds – Part 3
Chris Banks
Monday afternoon 18th April was the last indoor meeting before we embark upon the Summer Programme. Held at the Wellingborough venue the speaker was Chris Banks with Part 3 of his excellent "A to Z of Locomotive Sheds" in colour series. We re-commenced at dirty but magical Consett, with a terrific quantity of freight types on shed, mostly designated for steel and coal traffic. Then, north of the border to Dumfries, Dundee and Dunfermline before returning to Dorchester and into South Wales for Port Talbot Duffryn Yard. The show ended at the clean and gentile Eastbourne, still minus the shed roof even in the early sixties due to wartime bomb damage. Chris as usual gave an extensive and detailed commentary on the origin and allocations of the various locomotives shown, as well as opening and closure dates, alterations and architectural features of the sheds themselves. Special mention must be made of five sheds, Crewe North and South, Darlington, Derby and Doncaster that were adjacent to large locomotive workshops as these featured locomotives either awating or having just been outshopped, some for the last time. We were treated to an amazing variety locomotives from four coupled saddle tanks through to the massive Class W1(60700) in just travelling from "C to E", we look forward to starting at Eastleigh next!
Monday 11th April 2011
Members' Evening
Our final evening session on 11th April was the ever popular Member's Evening in which five produced cameo presentations with a further three waiting in the wings! Taken in alphabetical order first on was Chris Clayson with a selection of slides of railways and trams taken around Oporto in 1970. Regular RO contributor photographer Brian Finch followed with his usual superb images of modern day scene. Branch Chairman then showed details of a branch visit to Bressingham in 1979 which included families. This caused much amusement and comment as members recognised themselves and 'off spring' from 30 pus years earlier. Peter Juffs then took us up to a rather later interval time than anticipated by adding a continental flavour to the evening. After the break Graham Onley entertained us with a medley of scenes in and around 1960's Northampton which, not only included railways, but buses, cars, commercial vehicles, street scenes and even a local football match!
Monday 28th March 2011
Railways of the Peak District – past and present
Les Nixon
At our popular afternoon venue at Weston Favell, on 28th March our speaker was the well known photographer and Society stalwart Les Nixon. Les was on homeground presenting "Railways of the Peak District - past and present", starting at Ambergate at the divergence of the Midland Company's routes from London to Sheffield and Manchester, he took us through the peaks via Matlock and Rowsley to Chinley, on the old Manchester direct route. Then from Sheffield along the Hope Valley line to Chinley. A brief glimpse of Manchester Central before and after closure, both Midland and LNWR lines at Buxton, views of steam and electric hauled trains on the Woodhead route and an insight into the Crompton and High peak inclines. We saw a splendid variety of train types from steam in the 1960s through to modern diesel hauled freight and passenger. The Peak Forrest aggregate traffic both then and now was particularly memorable. Les gave a wonderfully detailed commentary throughout with much explanation of the extremely scenic Peak District terrain and its vantage points, often high up on hillsides. Railways, scenic views and a photographer with that special something, 'this was surely as good as it gets'.
Monday 14th March 2011
Blue and Grey to Black and Green
Paul Chancellor
Our speaker for Monday, 14th March was Paul Chancellor the fairly new proprietor of Colour-Rail. Paul explained the fortunate but costly acquisition of an enormous amount of slide film and mounts at this time when the major film companies have stopped production. This together with their black and white film negatives, digital images and the introduction of bus material should ensure a good future for the concern. We were treated to a show of excellent quality slides from the current catalogue complete with a most detailed commentary. Ranging from the near antique, sometimes unusual locomotives with similarly aged and odd rolling stock, as well as great classic style railway pictures, through to the comparatively modern day scene at various locations throughout the UK. Just 6 days earlier our Quiz Team had retained "The Ashes" trophy away at LCGB Bedford but despite being present in the audience made a poor "fist" of Paul's questions on the whereabouts of some of the locations. Paul finished the evening with a sequence of his own superb atmospheric and "arty" shots on the Severn Valley Railway where he is an official photographer.
Monday 28th February 2011
150 Years of the Somerset & Dorset Railway
Mike Beale
It was not the damp and dreary 28th February afternoon that enticed a goodly number of members out, but the subject matter of "150 Years of the Somerset & Dorset Railway" presented by Mike Beale. After an explanation of the early history of the line in connection with canals and shipping routes, Mike further explained how its origins lay in the coming together of the Somerset Central and Dorset Central railways both formed 1854 but not conjoined until 1862. Mike's concise and detailed illustration of the complete line from Highbridge Wharf to Bournemouth (the branch from Evercreech Junction to Bath is to be covered on another occasion) and describing the machinations of the railway companies involved was superb, as was the splendid then and now photographs from the past to the closing days.
Monday 14th February 2011
Steam East and West of Assam
Ray Schofield
Valentine's Day, no, not a massacre but a very warm welcome for Ray Schofield and his slide presentation of 'Steam East and West of Assam' at our Duston evening venue. The show turned out to be the sort of slides that we would all liked to have taken, but mostly failed to do so! Ray has visited the area on a number of occasions and was able to provide detailed information of the locomotives shown, together with an informative and amusing commentary. Our show commenced in Pakistan, then through India and concluded in Burma (now the Union of Myanmar). We learned of the British Engineering Standards Association and their steering of the locomotive designs of the sub continent during the British Raj years, mostly based on North British types and built by many different makers over the decades. The audience were treated to everyday steam worked trains on the broad gauge, metre and various other narrow gauges, including 'the hill' railways, often in spectacular locations. The 0-3-0 Orenstein & Koppel loco photographed at the Delhi Museum and the story of the re-scheduling of a goods train with an armed guard will be remembered for along time.
last updated: 25/01/12