Solent
Meeting Reports
Wednesday 18th April 2012
The Port of Southampton
Port Director, Doug Morrison, gave our April talk on the port of Southampton. An aerial view of the port clearly showed the dog leg turns that vessels have to make to reach the container berths. A total of 1.6 million equivilent 20 foot container units were handled in the past year. As most containers are 40 feet long this means 800,000 containers. 35% of them leave by rail; it was 25% before the gauge enhancement work was carried out. Doug believes this can be increased to 40%
For cruise liners a fifth terminal is becoming desirable. The choice site in currently used for imported tomatoes but as this is basically a winter trade both can exist side by side. Although check in of cruise passengers usually takes place in the port when there are several vessels in port hotels are also used with passengers being bussed to the vessel. With Liverpool looking to become a starting point for cruises Doug observed how attractive this is to passengers from the north. A cruise to the Med requires four hours extra sailing time but avoids a six hour journey to the South Coast.
With vessels getting ever larger the port has lodged plans for dredging a wider channel for the container ships as well as a major refurbishment of the original container berths, now used for car traffic. This was lodged with the appropriate Department five years ago as required by law but no dicision has been forthcoming. with 75% of container traffic originating from one conglomorate Doug is worried that the larger ships may be forced to use another port.
An interesting insight into the port today. Those who stayed away missed a good talk.
Wednesday 18th January 2012
Plasser Track Machines
Mark Simmons
In January we welcomed Mark Simmons from Plasseur who gave an excellant insight into track machines. The first machine, in 1955, was small and undertook a single task. Now there are massive multipurpose machines. A single machine can lift rail, remove sleepers, lift and clean ballast, then dig out the foundation. Another part pf the machine will renovate and consolidate the foundation, lay down ballast, some of which has been recycled, replace sleepers and finally lay and align the track. In Europe more attention is given to the foundation than has been the case in Britain. A very interesting evening, but a pity that many of the regulars did not come along.,
Wednesday 14th December 2011
The Chairman Entertains
Mike Green
Through a misunderstanding over dates the intended Christmas filmshow failed to materialise. Our Chairman made a brief visit home to get some slides and the result was an evening of slides on East European and Russian railways. Thanks, John, for the evening.
Wednesday 16th November 2011
Quiz against Basingstoke Railway Society and Meon Valley Railway Society
This year we hosted the quiz against two local societies. It would have been nice to say we were the champions, but we were not. Meon Valley Locomotive Society were runaway winners. We now await the demand from our members for changes to the team. Our thanks to all who took part in the quiz, particularly quizmaster Steve Bigley (who again brought in new ideas) and scorer Trevor Hatt.
Wednesday 19th October 2011
Steam on Southern Lines
Neil Kearns
Neil Kearns' presentation in October reminded us just how Southern steam has changed over the past 40 years. Following the relaxation of the steam ban Neil had to travelnorth to take photos on the Settle and Carlisle (Sir Lamiel and Lord Nelson) or in Yorkshire (Clan Lina and City of Wells). As the resistence to steam on the Southern was overcome Neil found himself in the right place at the right time to see the numerous specials which were run - maybe this had something to do with his employment as a train planner.....Proving runs found 31625 and 41312 at Clapham Junction and the VSOE at Croydon. Tangmere 73096 and Burton Agnes Hall appeared on the screen on an evening of pure nostalgia.
last updated: 25/04/12