The earlier era was covered by slides from the late John Baker with views including shots of massive 4-8-0, 4-8-2, 0-8-0 machines together with the various Garratts for which the SAR was famous, illustrated both on shed and in action. Many of the steam classes were of British manufacture notably from Beyer Peacock.

David’s own slides covered the later period to include diesel and electric traction of both gauges and also various coaching stock. The review commenced at the northern extremity of the country proceeding down to Cape Town. Visits to some large locomotive depots, for example De Aar, showed the unique spindly gantry coaling plants shunted by large tender types. From there we went up the coast finishing up in the Natal area where much of the 2’ gauge was depicted. The in traffic shots out in the bush amply illustrated the wild and sparse nature of much of the country outside the conurbations. Not forgotten were the many preserved locomotives and preservation operations like the Garden Route along the south east coast and the “Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe” from George-Kynsa.

A memorable evening enjoyed by the gathering for which many thanks are due to Dave.

Monday 15th September
South Wales, Part One
Chris Youett

Our new season at Coventry opened on 15th September when we once again welcomed local member Chris Youett. Chris had put together a fine presentation, mostly from the Colour-Rail files, entitled “We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Hillsides, Part One – South Wales”. The show zipped along nicely, with a very informative and entertaining commentary. Starting at Severn Tunnel Jct. the journey took us from east to west and back covering Canton, Landore and most of the valley lines. Many classes of GWR locomotives were seen, along with a few from more familiar regions! Chris made use of his rugby football connections to photograph some special workings within the Cardiff area. The show included many historical and geographical facts on all aspects of railway operations within the area. The meeting came to a prompt close, and we eagerly await ‘Part Two’ from this welltried and tested speaker.

Monday 19th May
From Blue & Grey to Black & Green
Paul Chancellor

What have a pair of Webb 4-cylinder compounds, a first generation AC Cars railbus and the prototype HST in common?

At first sight, nothing, but all of them figured, along with a bewildering, but very interesting mixture of motive power in local Branch member Paul Chancellor’s intriguingly titled slide show, ‘From Grey and Blue, to Black and Green’.

The title was the clue, in that it was intended to show, largely in reverse order, the changes not only of actual stock, but also the changes of livery from the present, going back through the years, including a selection of monochrome shots.

What made the presentation memorable was sheer variety of stock – at least 142 classes (unless I missed some!), without counting sub-variants, and steam, diesel and electric, so something for everyone.

Definitely a show with a difference.

Monday 21st April
Steaming Through Britain. DVD on preserved Railways
Graham Briggs

An evening of steam nostalgia at Coventry on 21st April. Graham Briggs presented a DVD’s of steam scenes to delight his audience. The first half consisted of preserved railways during the first months of 2008. Locations visited were, in order of showing, Keighley and Worth Valley, Churnet Valley, Bluebell, Great Central, Swanage, Severn Valley, Bodmin and Wadebridge, West Somerset, South Devon, and North Yorkshire Moors. A wide variety of locomotives on both passenger and freight were seen. All were notable but of interest were the Taff Vale tank on KWVR, 9017 with the Metropolitan stock on the Bluebell, the S&D 2-8-0 on loan to the SVR, and 49395 on the West Somerset. The second half provided steam on the main line during 2007 in varied locations throughout Great Britain. As could be expected the Settle and Carlisle featured but the West Highland, Cambrian, and Cumbrian were among other areas visited. The highlight of the year however was “The Great Britain” railtour from London-Penzance-Preston-Perth-and the North of Scotland over nine days. A recommended evening of fine photography for the steam enthusiast.

Monday 17th March
The NRM-the next ten years
Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott, Director of the NRM, returned to his boyhood roots when he came to Coventry on 17th March to give an address on “The NRM-The next ten years” the museum having now been open for 33 years. The theme running through his talk was “building the future from the past”.

He commenced by outlining the present position at York and Shildon with over 900,000 visitors in the 2006/7 period and with this likely to be almost achieved in 2007/8. He explained the large amount of material amassed by the NRM comprising a vast range of large and small items including a huge quantity of technical diagrams and other paperwork still in process of being sorted. A picture was shown which well illustrated the acquisition of small items. It depicted a small brass model, recently acquired, which after research was considered to be an original by Trevithick early 1800’s as an experiment with two-cylinder propulsion. The aim must be to attract visitors who have only a limited or no interest in railways. The support of enthusiasts alone will not keep the museum viable and families and younger visitors are essential for its work to continue. Educational tours for schools and other groups are run to further this aim. The conference and banqueting facilities provide much needed income for the museum.

The future development has five principal aims. Firstly the new Search Engine gives easy access to stored document and has recently opened at balcony level in the main building. Secondly continually regenerating the museum its layout and exhibits. Thirdly the development of the surrounding site to improve the overall setting and provide better access for coaches and larger vehicles. Fourthly Shildon Phase II, and lastly overhaul of “Flying Scotsman”. Events for 2008 include a photographic display on Chinese Railways, The annual “Steamfest” with emphasis on the last days of steam in 1968. Four A4’s are to be on display with some operational running of three. A Play based on E. Nesbitt’s “The Railway Children”. The main aim is to raise £20 million by the year 2012. Andrew concluded with a Progress report on the overhaul of “Oliver Cromwell”, due for completion this year, and of “Flying Scotsman” which will virtually be a new engine when completed in 2009.

Monday 18th February
The latter years of Chinese steam
Roger Johnson

At Coventry on 18th February local member Roger Johnson transported us far afield to the northern industrial wastes of China where steam still reigned until recently. Roger has made many visits to China over a period from 1989 to 2005.

He commenced with a series of slides covering several industrial concerns in the north including those of narrow gauge, all with quite large locomotives many transferred from China Rail. Many of these concerns ran their own workers' trains. The locomotives were various 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 with some narrow gauge 0-10-0. He then took us to the Ji-Tong Railway which was entirely steam operated until 2005 when diesels began to appear. Here long freights are the norm often headed by two QJ Class 2-10-2 and banked by a further member of the Class. The railway has a length of some 935km and the journey time covers over 25 hours. The route over the Jing Peng pass includes many tunnels and spirals to at Shangdian.

After the interval he showed us action on the pass the DVD presenting superb sights and sounds as the locomotives struggled up the grades emitting a display of exhaust in the cold air. The locos being continually driven flat out on full regulator! Roger braved temperatures of minus 40 during his winter visits to bring us these events in an inhospitable area not often visited by tourists other than steam railway enthusiasts. An ancient pagoda, one of the few not vandalised by Chairman Mao, attracts a few non-railway travellers, Traffic has steadily increased over the period of Roger’s visits but diesels have now all but ousted steam in this arid but picturesque landscape.

Monday 21st January
Branch AGM and Members Slides

The Branch AGM was held on 21st January at Coventry. It commenced with a minutes silence in memory of the four branch members who had passed away over the Christmas period. The Branch Committee of D. Morris, D. Walker, I. Reid, and R. Barby were re-elected for a further term. After the formalities Derrick Codling presented a comprehensive tour of much of Europe, including Turkey, in digital format.

Following the interval Chris Youett, Chris Berridge , john Hills, Ray Reed, and Bob Barby presented a selection of slides ranging over the United Kingdom and venturing into South Africa and Burma. Scenes both ancient and modern covered main line, preserved, narrow gauge, and industrial subjects. It illustrated the wide ranging interest of the members who are thanked for their contributions.

Saturday/Sunday 19th/20th January
Warwick and Leamington Model railway Society Show

The Branch manned a stand at the Warwick and Leamington Model railway Society show on 19th and 20th of January. Head by Derek Morris, Peter Smith, Chris Berridge, and Bob Barby attended on the Saturday. On Sunday Derek was supported by Peter. Steady sale ensued.

Monday 17th December 2007
Preserved steam on the main line
Karl Jauncey and Dave Richards

At the Branch meeting in Coventry on 17th December Karl Jauncey and Dave Richards made their annual visit with “Preserved Steam on the Main Line 2007”. As usual this was a superb evening of steam nostalgia greatly enjoyed by all present at the new venue for Coventry meetings. The trains were depicted in picturesque settings including overhead views. Industrial locations were not forgotten and included in panoramic views of Port Talbot steel works. Locomotives featured were GWR 4936/52, 5051, 6024.and 7802, LMS 6201, SR 850, LNER 2005 and 4771, 30777, 34067, 45231/407, 48151, 61264, 61994, 60009/19, 71000, and 76079 all superbly turned out. Locations ranged throughout the British Isles with one charter from Penzance-Kyle of Lochalsh/Wick run over several days with a variety of motive power.

Karl and Dave were invited to return and entertain us with their efforts during 2008.

Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd December 2007
Warley International Model railway Show

The West Midlands Branch staffed a Society stand at the Warley International Model railway Show at the NEC on 1st and 2nd December. Derek Morris and Peter Smith did sterling duty on both days. Lionel Simpson, Mike Lane, and Peter Juffs aided on the Saturday with Chris Berridge and Bob Barby on the Sunday. A brisk trade ensued each day. The centre piece of the Show was two locomotives from the Statfold Barn Railway. These were 0-4-2ST “Trangkill No4” (HE 3902 of 1971) and 0-4-0ST “Jack Lane” (HE 3904 of 2005) both of 2’ gauge

Monday 19th November 2007
Travels with the New Measurement Train.
Andrew Royle

The meeting on 19th November saw Andrew Royle, part of the team with the New Measurement Train, speak on his travels with the train. The concept of the train was initiated in 2000 following the Hatfield accident to give better coverage of the condition of the permanent way. Three HST power cars, 43013/14/62, were acquired in 2001 and a five coach set assembled at Craigentinny to form the train in its distinctive yellow livery. Launched in 2003 the original set comprised Mark II and III vehicles but the set is now all Mark III stock. The train covers all main routes except for the Southern and is now based at Derby. The talk was well illustrated including detail of the specialist equipment, cameras, etc, installed on the test vehicles. A second locomotive hauled set is used to cover some routes being run topped and tailed by Classes 67, 31, and, currently, 37.

Andrew also illustrated other test vehicles and units maintained by Network Rail for inspection work including overhead line inspection, gauging, and ultrasonic testing of track. Trials to provide facilities to use the NMT for overhead line work were explained. Also work on the experimental battery/diesel HST power car, 43069, was shown. An interesting and informative evening enjoyed by all.

November 2008