It is fair to say that most of the audience of 37 were very impressed by the age, quality and variety of the slides, some even bringing audible gasps of surprise as they came on the screen. The earliest shot was of a Metropolitan 4-4-0T running light engine at Harrow on 5th September 1898 and the most recent was of a former SECR L 4-4-0 at Ropley on a railtour on 18th September 1960. Between these dates we saw some of Britain's finest steam traction in all its glory but interspersed with many minor railways and even some narrow gauge.

The slides were arranged geographically around Britain and it would be invidious to pick out highlights from this superb collection. Suffice to say that 84 out of the 200 slides were from the pre grouping era. Audience participation was much appreciated on occasions to enhance the speaker's script . particularly the gentleman who knew what the initials HMST stood for !

Monday 20th October
Freight Trains around Britain in the 21st Century
Geoff Brocket

Our meeting on 20th October was a very informative look at '21st century freight trains around Britain' by local member Geoff Brockett. After paying due reference to the Freightmaster books as a source of information we set out on a comprehensive tour covering 120 individual locations stretching from St Austell to Aviemore. Even in the 8 years under review big changes had taken place in the UK freight scene with EWS gradually losing traffic to the other 3 major freight companies, Freightliner, GBRF and DRS. Appropriately we started with a local shot taken some 400 yards from the meeting venue of the Marks Tey sand passing Shenfield station. Some 2001 scenes were now quite nostalgic with the 2 73's on the Dover Mail and 58021 at Basingstoke.

A FLHH 66/5 was seen at Hatfield Colliery in that year when it was open ; since closed of course but recently reopened, such are the varying fortunes of the coal market. Highland line freight traffic was featured, traffic which has reduced somewhat of late and the amazing Beechbrook Farm site was shown, now landscaped back to fields.

So we continued with some locations being very familiar like the Stour bridges at Manningtree and the Ely 'derailment' bridge others very obscure such as Carnoustie, Carlin How amd North Acton. The huge variety of liveries, traffics and indeed the wagons themselves were brought out in Geoff's shots and we concluded with a nice view of 2 DRS 20's at Reedham box on the RHTT.

Photography was excellent throughout and one would think that the sun always shone in the UK but that is a comment on Geoff's perseverance to get that good picture.

Monday 15th September
A Selection of Railway Films
Dave Baker (London) presents a selection from his extensive film collection

Our meeting on 15th September started with a 5 minute presentation from Simon Hanney on the current position and future plans at the Epping and Ongar Railway. .After troubled times much work is in progress to get this line up and running and the new found enthusiasm deserves every support.

For the first time at this branch Dave Baker had brought along his films to entertain us and we began with the 1973 BBC film of the Zambesi Sawmills Railway which showed a much younger David Shepherd travelling and sketching on this highly individual line, leading to his rescue of some of the stock. Some amazing scenes here with the rail mounted Ford Prefect bringing a whole new meaning to the term 'railcar.'

'Operation London Bridge' was made in 1975 by BTF and after a brief history of the area showed the massive remodelling and rebuilding of the rail infrastructure of that time. Of particular note were some aerial shots of Borough Market Junction in the rush hour.

'Black Fives' featured the last days of these famous locos working out of Carnforth shed with narration by local footplate crews. Other types were shown too in this very steamy and nostalgic look back at the end of an era.

' London Terminus' made in 1944 was a lovely period piece and showed Waterloo as it was then. All human life was there from the sad to the funny plus vintage SR EMU's and 21C6 on the ACE.

Next was a short unintentionally humourous (perhaps) over the top American epic called 'Deadly Drums' based around two exploding drums being conveyed by train and the 'race' to reach them before it happened.

Finally there was BTF's 1968 'Ships to the Islands' featuring the famous twins, Sarnia and Cesarea, on their trips to the Channel Islands, waiter service included. Dave's introduction to each film was well up to Equity standards and complimented the contents superbly.

Monday 21st July
Mangapps Farm Railway Museum

Over fifty members and guests of the South Essex Branch enjoyed a lovely summers evening visit to Mangapps Farm Railway Museum on July 21st. We were particularly pleased to welcome Society President Hugh Gould and David Tyreman from the NE branch, both on their first visit to the centre and able to savour both rare haulage and new mileage !

A run down the main line with 03399 and the dmu coach was followed by the appearance of 03089 and three brakevans for a further mainline trip, which on the return took the connecting spur to run on the branch line. Further trips followed at regular intervals throughout the evening.

The only obvious acquisition since our previous visit was a rare GER dray, but it was pleasing to see that last years major newcomer, EWS Class 47 47793, was receiving mechanical attention prior to its transformation back to its original identity as 47579 'James Nightall GC'.

Fresh out of the workshop was 03081, resplendent in BR green livery, whilst work continues on 03018, WD AD 226 and the CEGB Hudswell diesel together with several steam engines in various stages of their lengthy restoration.

As darkness fell, the party retreated to the buffet car where host John Jolly kept us entertained with tales of his experiences in gaining some of the museum exhibits. Another wonderful evening and our thanks to John and June Jolly for their hospitality and to their helpers in operating the trains for our enjoyment.

Monday 16th June
European Steam in the 21st Century
Adrian Palmer

'European steam in the 21st century' was the subject of Adrian Palmer's talk on 16th June and steamy it certainly was with just the very occasional hint of diesel in the background. Bearing in mind that all the shots had been taken since 2000 the variety and quantity of steam activity was remarkable, several countries further east having joined the steam trail. One suspects that this is partly for the amounts of hard cash which it brings into countries none too buoyant economically.

All were preserved steam with the exception of the USA lookalike tanks and Kriegsloks in industrial use at Tuzla in Bosnia. Adrian has been 'foreign' travelling for 35 years and has certainly lost none of his enthusiasm, seemingly covering every steam happening in the area and period. No less than 21 countries were featured, 10 of which were in Eastern Europe and reflecting the increase in 'enthusiast' steam there. In many there had been superb recreations of 'normal' scenes well remembered from the 50's and 60's.

Gauges were many ranging from the familiar 760 mm in Austria through the unusual Scandinavian 891mm to the Russian 5 feet. With some wonderful and imaginative photography, coupled with seemingly unlimited sunshine, and an entertaing and informative commentary highlights were difficult to select. However, the blue Czech 4-8-4T in very scenic country, double heading P36's in Belarus, the distinctive Finnish locos and the mighty 241P back in action were especially memorable. The very last shot was of the Darjeeling Himalayan loco at Adrian Shooter's railway, perhaps a clue for a return visit by our speaker ?

Monday 19th May
Nearly 30 years of Railway Photography in Essex and Suffolk
Mike Collins

Mike Collins was the speaker at our 19th May meeting with his '30 years of trains in Essex and Suffolk'. Coincidentally he had entertained us at the inaugural meeting of the branch 14 years ago, so it was a welcome return if somewhat belated ( !) and as he said a lot of water had passed under the bridge since then.

The photography was of an exceptionally high standard with very clever use of the lighting conditions plus intuitive choice of locations creating real atmosphere in the shots. Virtually everything which had happened railwaywise in the area during those 30 years was covered, both the day to day and special workings. Good railway friends often tipped him off about unusual happenings whilst on occasion good shots had been obtained purely by chance. The motto was 'always carry your camera !'. Mike has an unusual job as an operator on the DRS RHTT trains based at Stowmarket which occupies him for 3 months each year, giving opportunities for views from normally out of bounds locations.

It is very difficult to pick a winner but the wonderfully lit shots of sparkling 47's in 'Stratford' livery were superb. The ultimate in oneupmanship must have been the gentleman who hired the VSOE for his own private party to attend the launch of his yacht. All rounded off with an excellent commentary, highly recommended

Monday 21st April
Memories of a signalman in the Aire Valley
Malcolm Riley

We had plenty of Yorkshire wisdom from Malcolm Riley with his 'Memories of a signalman in the Aire Valley' at our meeting on 21st. April. Malcolm had spent 45 and a half years in signal boxes, having started his career as a box lad in October 1961 working a 46 hour week for £3.8.6 and doing a two and half mile walk for early turn. Learning the ropes from experienced older men he took the signalling exam at Block School at Wakefield in 1963, duly passed and was given Guiseley Station as his first box.

Long spells as Rest Day Relief signalman gave experience of many more boxes in the West Riding and he finished with 14 years in Leeds Power Box, before its closure and transfer of the work to York IECC. He then showed slides, featuring boxes of course, but also the trains they were signalling. Now long gone memories were the fast lines on the Leeds route, the GN connections at Shipley, the vast layout which existed at Manningham and the much simplified and relocated Bradford Forster Square.'Tales' were numerous, from using detonators (not more than two !) to clean box chimneys, demolition of Manningham box toilet by an out of control wagon and stopping a DMU to allow a good shot of 4472. A good evening's entertainment from the sharp end of railway operations.

Monday 17th March
Travels in War Torn Countries
David Brice

Our meeting on 17th. March was definitely one with a difference when local member David Brice gave us the intriguing 'Railways and Life in war torn Countries' the countries being Albania, Iran and Afghanistan. David is a respected railway consultant and his work has taken him to some very non touristy destinations. giving him rare photographic opportunities.

Albania was first, the contorted political history was explained, with railways only being introduced in 1947 and then with no cross border routes. Photography is very difficult with many restrictions and the railway shots were definitely 'snatched'. Rail services today are sparse, worked by about 25 of the original 61 Czech built diesels, with all signalling being out of use and movements controlled by paper ticket and telephone. Several of the original steam fleet of Polish 2-8-2T's are still to be seen rusting away. In 1975 the Russians built a cross border line into Montenegro, used for 3 years only, but recently reopened. However the country remains isolated both geographically and politically.

David has visited Iran 6 times in the last 3 years, a country where new railway building is exceeded only by China, being dictated by the need to exploit the vast oil and mineral reserves. Scenery is very rugged and dry with some spectacular lines as a result. The 64 kms of 1 in 37 on one of the cross country routes certainly puts the Lickey into perspective. Power is mostly older GM diesels whilst the class 141 railbuses exported from the UK were seen at work, these still having some of their original signage but with an Arab toilet and ladies only area. Relics of an earlier age were a Vulcan built 2-10-0 and a Cowans Sheldon steam crane. Some lines are very busy, one route from Tehran to Mashhad having no less than 14 overnight trains. Freights can be very heavy, 87 bogie wagon trains being see, Metro and underground systems are being built. To avoid lengthy sea trips the Russians are keen to see a through route from Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf. Clearly a country with a great railway future.

Afghanistan has a very limited system consisting of just two short lines coming across from Uzbekistan and Pakistan. On David's arrival at one of these the entire staff (14 people) were lined up to be presented to him.

In all 3 countries, apart from the railway shots, we were shown many local scenes enabling us to appreciate the vastly different cultures. A nice touch was our speaker's wearing of appropriate headgear from each country. A truly memorable show.

Monday 18th February
BR Steam and Diesel
David Cobbe

David Cobbe from Frinton entertained us on 18th. February with 'BR Steam and Diesel'. The first half was devoted to diesel and electric traction mainly taken in the 80's on his favourite Kodachrome film. Locations ranged far and wide over the UK, indeed we learnt a lot about good photo spots, some no longer available.

There were a large number of shots on the SR and David seemed to have been around for nearly all special workings as well as the day to day. A rare shot of a 56 at the difficult to photograph Ardingly Stone Terminal was interesting as were 2 20's on the now defunct Chipman's weedkiller. Crowborough yard full of engineers trains headed by 33's and 47's was a surprise whilst Severn Tunnel Jn shed full of locos was in stark contrast to today's weed covered wastes. Also surprisng was a very rural spot between Bexley and Crayford.

The second half was steam with many wonderful views of SR branch lines, most no longer with us. Several shots of the SEC C and H classes at work were seen and of course the Terriers on the Hayling Island line. In Scotland there was a wonderful shot of an A4 emerging from Moncrieffe Tunnel whilst the rarely photographed St. Boswells shed with a J36 and BR 4 was good.

David had obviously spent many hours finding good locations and even more waiting for the right weather and the right train. Audience participation, mostly helpful, was called for in some cases as the location detail had been lost. An evening of high quality photography much appreciated by a large audience.

Monday 21st January
Tilting Trains and the TASS System
Martin Fargher

Martin Fargher from Network Rail was our speaker on 21st January with a very interesting aspect of the modern railway, the Tilt Authorisation and Speed Supervision System (TASS) as used on the West Coast Main Line. Martin took us through the development of tilting trains, from the ground breaking but not fully proven British APT to the successful tilting trains in other European countries all of which had their origins in the Italian ETR 450/460/470 series.

In 1998 he had been appointed to lead the development team for TASS and hence to allow the operation of tilting trains in the UK. The Pendolinos (390's) used on the WCML were a development of the Swiss tilting train introduced in 2000 which employed electric tilt whereas earlier types had used hydraulic power. The thorny technical problem of how to accommodate the pantograph on the roof of a tilting vehicle was discussed, the eventual solution on the 390's being a very ingenious wheeled and rolling arrangement which has proved very successful in service. The original APT was designed with 100% compensation of cant deficiency which allegedly led to unfortunate effects on the passengers but the 390's have 50% compensation giving passengers some sense of curve rounding forces, again something which has been very acceptable in daily service.

'Hazard identification' for the operation of tilting trains was a major exercise and Martin went through the many issues which had to be resolved. The TASS concept is based on the European Train Control System (ETCS) and uses balises placed in the four foot at the appropriate locations to pass messages to the train authorising the tilt and supervising the maximum speed at that point. This is a 'fixed' message and does not control the train itself, that being in the hands of the driver and the tilting system on the train. 682 balises were installed on the WCML, plus the Wolvercot Junction to Aynho Junction section used by the 221's.

TASS was the winner of the 2005 Railway Industry Innovation Awards, just reward for what has proved to be an outstandingly successful system and which has revolutionised rail travel in the UK.

Monday 17th December 2007
AGM and Members' Slides

Our AGM was held on 17th December with the existing committee was re-elected en bloc. However the Branch still needs to fill the positions of Fixtures Officer and Exhibitions Co-ordinator.

The remainder of the evening was taken up with members' slides. Andy Grimmett's excellent selection of recent shots from both near and far was followed by Geoff Brockett showing some of the special trains that ran in 2007 and finished with Jim Waite taking us all back to 1963 and the "RCTS East Midlander No 6" Tour from Nottingham to Horwich works.

November 2008