West Riding
Meeting Reports
Thursday 19th April 2012
All Colours of the Rainbow
David Walker
Our regular Thursday evening meeting welcomed David Walker from the West Midlands Branch to give his well illustrated talk on “All the Colours of the Rainbow”. The show opened with pictures that covered the full range of experimental locomotives for both mainline, freight and shunting operations. Virtually every class of locomotive was to be seen reminding the audience of classes of locomotives that were never progressed and others which now no longer form part of the modern era. Westerns, Warships, Co-Bos, Claytons to name but only a few. Early day West Coast Electrics were not forgotten nor were the many types of less glamorous DMU, EMU and shunters. Scenes from modern day operations extensively covered every type of locomotive that is to be seen on today’s railway and in the many colours that have been employed since sectorisation and privatisation. A vast array of liveries was on show and photographed on the passenger and freight machines that can now be seen over the entirety of today’s railway system. Virtually every class of locomotive and many of the EMU/DMU’s of the modern era were illustrated. Vintage or modern this thorough presentation yielded much for the audience to enjoy.
Tuesday 3rd April 2012
When Ripon had Rails
Dave Beeken
The month of April brought two meetings for our members to enjoy, the first of which was an afternoon event in which David Beeken, our branch treasurer, gave his talk entitled “When Ripon had Rails”. This was a most delightful presentation which yielded many localised photographs dating back to the mid 1930s through to the time when the lines were finally closed in the late 1960s. Although concentrating on Ripon all of the local radiating lines were very well documented. Scenic views of the lines to Masham, the Nidd Valley route to Pateley Bridge, the Harrogate-Pilmoor and Harrogate-Ripon lines reminded the audience of these now long lost and attractive locations. Motive power illustrations of significance yielded C7 Atlantics, early day A3s, B16s, D49s and many other smaller locomotives of North Eastern origins. Several pictures of the Queen of Scots and West Riding Pullmans were also to be seen and to complement the photography local posters, tickets, advertising materials and timetables were stitched into the presentation. The well attended audience that witnessed this excellent presentation thus ensured the continuation of the afternoon format of meetings.
Thursday 15th March 2012
AGM + Slides + Artefacts
The branch AGM was the main topic for the March meeting which brought to a conclusion John Holroyd’s tenure as chairman after 20 years at the helm. His period in office has seen him gently steer the branch through a long number of fruitful years and also through a couple of the more challenging years. Our thanks to him for all his endeavours. Replacing John is Bill Jagger, who is a very long serving and respected member of the committee and we wish him well in this position. The remaining members of the committee were re-elected en-bloc.
The on-going entertainment centred around the exhibiting of a number of very interesting and fascinating artefacts which members brought along for all to enjoy. Plates of several descriptions featured, including a V2 smokebox together with its associated builders plate. A signal box diagram, station board, Wartime Railway Executive poster, photographs and lamps were all displayed. Thanks to all who contributed to this element of the meeting which brought the most convivial of atmospheres and camaraderie to the proceedings
Finally a presentation of slides by John Holroyd, who joined the society in 1962, covered the first year of his fifty years as a member of the RCTS. A second group of slides were shown by Bob Green illustrating images he took across East Anglia whilst living in the area.
Thursday 16th February 2012
Peter Barnes Memorial Slide Show
John Meredith & Bob Schofield
Something completely different formed the basis of the February meeting when John Meredith, accompanied by Bob Schofield, presented the “Peter Barnes Memorial Slide Show”. Peter, a former BR permanent way manager, took many slides whilst journeying within his working life. A large number of the photographs on view were of trackwork structures but other railway aspects were not forgotten. Focusing in and around the area of York detailed pictures of the Selby Division project were seen inclusive of the experimental Colton Junction high speed turn-out under test at Soham, off site manufacture of the pointwork and the subsequent permanent installation. The removing of the station centre through-lines and consequent remodelling were also featured. Away from the mainline trackwork, scenes yielded illustrations of the Colebrookdale/Ironbridge tramway, the Seaton Tramway, early Docklands Light Railway and York pre-electrification. Notable oddities produced pictures of British Transport Hotels and stations in London, Seaham Harbour wagons, Tanfield, Fowey docks and the Tyneside Metro at the South Shields/Westoe Colliery interface. Altogether this was an out of the ordinary yet very varied presentation which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Thursday 19th January 2012
Now & Then - Memories from an ex BR Fireman
A digital presentation from Ken Horan
January’s meeting started the New Year off in grand style as our largest audience since the mid 1990s turned out to listen to Ken Horan present his rendition of “Then and Now”. As a former fireman at the end of the steam era he frequently took his camera with him on his footplate travels. He accumulated a mass of material, nearly all of which was in black and white. Subsequently the images were converted into digital format leading to him recently publishing his book “Along Parallel Lines”. These pictures were then formulated into the subject of the first half of his talk. The converted illustrations were of the highest quality and presented black and white photography at its very best. Naturally a fair proportion was taken at the depots he visited whilst on duty but he also ventured to many of the famous locations around northern areas of England. Freight engines of many types featured. The standard 9F’s being singled out for high praise. For the second half Ken presented a collection of modern images, now in colour, many of which were taken on photographic charters at numerous preservation locations. Main line steam was very much in evidence with the Duchess meriting “star billing”. A touch of modern machinery complimented the overall presentation. Not surprisingly Ken’s work has won him several awards. Best summarised as an evening of the highest quality.
Thursday 8th December 2011
A World Tour
Gavin Morrison
Despite the dreadful weather yet another large and enthusiastic audience gathered for the December meeting to listen to Gavin Morrison present a programme of slides under the title of “A World Tour”. This broadly based title allowed Gavin all the necessary freedom to go wherever he liked. He, as always, did not disappoint and delivered a real pre-Christmas treat.
The presented programme spanned a 20 year period – the last being from 1980. Pictures that covered the end of the steam era brought several views of steam traction over Shap, the Somerset & Dorset and Scottish based specials principally employing preserved Scottish built machinery. Photographs from the early dieselisation period illustrated Deltic beginnings, Class 28 Co-Bos, Morecambe electrics and 50s over Shap. Visits to the West Country brought images of Westerns, Warships and Hymeks whilst trips into Scotland and the “Far Lines North” yielded typical Scottish motive power that was prevalent throughout the seventies.
The quest to seek out steam activity took Gavin to a number of wide ranging countries including Germany, Austria, Portugal’s Douro Valley, South Africa, Turkey and Pakistan (Khyber Pass). His favourite though was always India where steam existed in abundance. All were suitably illustrated.
Gavin’s photographic work is of the highest quality which was reflected in the wide ranging quantity of images that were displayed. His excellent presentation skills, detailed memories and engaging banter finished the year in splendid style.
Thursday 17th November 2011
Locomotives Built in Leeds
Donald Townsley
“Locomotive Built in Leeds” a talk by Donald Townsley was presented to the branch at the November meeting. As a former executive of Hunslet Engine Company Don delivered a most engaging digital presentation which revealed some fascinating information. Nearly 20,000 locomotives were manufactured in Leeds, a fact probably masked as most were for industrial use and 60% for export. By 1850 E B Wilson was the largest engine manufacturer in the world and early locomotives such as Lion, Firefly, Jenny Linds and Cramptons were all built in Leeds. Spinning out from these early operations Hunslet Engine Company began manufacturing in 1865. An 0-6-0T for Sharleston Colliery was the first off the production line. The range of engines was vast largely due to fulfilling the needs of industry at home and abroad. Gauges from broad to narrow, engines big and small – all featured. Star billing going to a picture of a Kitson-Meyer 0-8-6-0 rack adhesion locomotive clearly demonstrating the technical capabilities of the Leeds engineers. The austerity tanks built for WWII with a 2-year lifespan became the standard NCB shunter. In moving to combustion engine technology in 1932 Hunslet produced three prototype diesel shunters – an early form of the class 08’s. A multitude of post-war designs of diesel shunters subsequently followed. Not to be ignored was the building of underground mining locomotives which formed a major element of the production programme. Over 1300 were built. The Channel Tunnel, BSC and the Mount Snowdon Railway have all made recent use of “Locomotives Built in Leeds”.
Tuesday 1st November 2011
30/40 Years Back
John Holroyd
Chairman John Holroyd’s collection of slides from 30/40 years back was the chosen subject when the viability of mid-week afternoon meetings was reassessed. The inaugural gathering being on 1 November.
Slides from 1972 clearly illustrated John’s wide interest in most things industrial and principally featured the end of trolley buses in Bradford and a cycle tour that extended through Lancashire and Cheshire to the Welsh narrow gauge railways and Liverpool docks. Canal trips figured along with the associated watersides features, whilst several views of industrial stationary steam engines demonstrated John’s industrial interests. All of this being interwoven with intermittent scenes taken during the rebuilding of Bradford Exchange station.
1982 saw John take an overseas trip to India. The principle objective being to view British built locomotives in action. Across a variety of gauges, examples from Manning Wardle, Kitson, Vulcan, Bagnall and a Beyer Peacock Garrett were all evident. Back on home territory a trip to the Isle of Man covered both tramways and the IOMR. Scenes from the final days of the Clayton West Branch and “Blue Peter” at Dinting brought a most excellent show to a conclusion. The meeting proved to be an unqualified success and a large audience thoroughly enjoyed John’s superb photography.
Thursday 20th October 2011
The South Yorkshireman. Bradford-Marylebone
Ken Grainger
Ken Grainger, a student of the Great Central, treated our large October gathering to a most superb talk following the route of “The South Yorkshireman”.
This Bradford to Maryleborne service which began at Victoria was routed through West Riding territory via Halifax and Huddersfield to Penistone where the Great Central metals were first encountered. A quick descent took the train over the electrified Woodhead route to the now long lost station at Sheffield Victoria. The route southwards followed the Great Central mainline to Nottingham Victoria and Leicester. Illustrations from Killamarsh, Hucknell, Bulwell and many others nicely described the journey, whilst sideways jaunts into Annesley Shed and adjacent tracks added to the overall interest.
Pre-preservation slides of the Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester section over what is now the preserved Great Central Railway were viewed. Southbound from Leicester through Rugby Central and Woodford Halse (shed pictures) the route made for the junction at Grendon where the “South Yorkshireman” took the Metropolitan & GC joint lines through Quainton Road to Aylesbury, Great Missenden and Amersham. This section yielded some excellent shots of the Amersham and Chesham shuttle with its vintage carriage stock. Marylebone was finally reached through Rickmansworth and Neasden. A multiplicity of motive power (too numerous to mention) but taken mainly in the 50s/60s featured throughout thereby complimenting and perfectly describing the subject of the talk.
Thursday 15th September 2011
Traction in the Deltic Era
Hugh Ballantyne
The first gathering of the season in September set the programme off to a great start. A large and very appreciative audience were treated to Hugh Ballantyne’s superb talk on “Traction in the Deltic Era”. Proceedings commenced with a tour of the Southern Region and as only to be expected much of the now long lost EMU slam-door stock was in evidence. Pictures of the Brighton Belle served to illustrate what can be expected when the restoration work, currently underway, comes to fruition. Diesel locomotives were chiefly restricted to the class 33. The Western Region however provided many differing types of motive power, Warships, Westerns, class 50s, many Hymeks and a smattering of type 2 diesel hydraulics were on view, reminding all of what is now part of history. Diesels in abundance at Bristol Bath Road, S & D in BR days and the Blue Pullman at Bath were most noteworthy. Travelling over Midland Region metals, Peaks and class 25s were to the fore but of particular note were the class 13 shunters at Tinsley, Claytons (class 17) on Beattock and the 01s at Holyhead. The now defunct Manchester Pullman made an appearance. Eastern Region travel took Hugh deep into East Anglian territory, the extremes of Lincolnshire and over the East Coast main line routes with many of the favoured classes all to be seen. In concluding the programme and in deference to the title photographs of each of the 22 Deltics were shown. A most excellent show from a top quality photographer.
Thursday 18th August 2011
Observation Evening at Doncaster
As is the norm for the summer months of July and August members enjoyed evening visits to Doncaster, a truly central location and a well known popular freight 'hot spot'. The July gathering was not disappointed and in pleasant warm sunshine witnessed a high number of freight workings. Of those observed the most noteworthy were 66735 with unbranded coal hoppers, 66093 on steel ingots and 66033 with empty Plasmore block wagons. This created a real windstorm as it sped north, clearing platform 4 of all litter and the hats of waiting passengers! 66249 passed through hauling empty sand hoppers and the NR Measurement also made an appearance.
In less accommodating light August’s observations again served up the regular wide ranging repertoire of freight workings with duties from the three major freight operators in evidence covering Heavy Haul coal, oil tanks and bin liners, sand hoppers and Plasmore block empties. The sight of 66029 with railhead treatment vehicles reminded all of the approaching leaf fall season. A highlight of the evening was provided by the northbound Flying Scotsman when the DVT luggage door was opened (thereby displacing the 'F') to reveal the "lying Scotsman".
On both occasions a high volume of Class 91's were in evidence and August delivered 24 of the 31 machines. The usual spread of Northern and Trans-Pennine units, Cross-Country Voyagers and Adelantes added to the occasions.
Thursday 16th June 2011
Visit to “Stately Trains”
For the final gathering of this season’s programme a visit was organised to Stephen Middleton’s ‘Stately Trains’ stable of vintage carriage stock at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway. Proceedings commenced with all members gathering around the table in the fully restored 1913 LNWR Directors’ saloon which is now regularly used on EBASR trains. A similar coach of the ‘Stately Trains’ fleet is currently in Canada taking part in their production of the Railway Children. Stephen has a policy of collecting ‘unique and sole’ survivors with stories to tell which makes them attractive to use. To illustrate this the restoration of the NER 1903 Electric Autocar is particularly significant and for which lottery funding has been acquired. Work is progressing well and completion is expected to be around the middle of next year with the autocoach following some 2-3 years behind. The viewing of the currently under restoration 1882 Pullman short bodied coach built in Detroit and purchased by the Midland Railway further underlined Stephen’s philosophy. Correct bogies and buffers have been sourced. Also on view and inspected by all were the fully renovated GNOSR 6-wheeler of 1896 and two GER 6-wheelers of 1897 and 1889 all of which now form part of the often used ‘Stately Trains’ vintage train set. A splendid evening out.
Thursday 19th May 2011
Building a Dream - Creating a Storm - Tornado
Keith Crabtree
For the final indoor meeting of the season our speaker for May brought Keith Crabtree, from the A1 Locomotive Society, to deliver a classy digital presentation on Tornado. The narrative embraced the totality of this, now legendary, project from conception, design, component manufacture, erection, trials, through to the ultimate objective of main line operation. The trials and tribulations encountered throughout the project were well chronicled. Many photographs accompanied the presentation which comprehensively described Tornado’s main line tours to all corners of the country and the locomotive’s sojourns to some of our preserved railways. The recent problems associated with the all welded boiler were not disguised and were covered in some depth. Now as the locomotive is about to return to the main line hopefully all the problems will have been resolved. Finally Keith outlined the latest position relating to the proposed building of a Gresley ‘P2’. Fully aware of the problems associated with these machines, studies are being undertaken to fully understand the difficulties and identify suitable solutions. Where this will go only time will tell. Thanks to Keith for an excellent evening’s entertainment.
last updated: 25/04/12