20th April 2021 · Branch AGM followed by:- “Railway Holidays in the West Country, Part 1 – Cornwall”

Presenter: Stuart Warr

We held our Branch AGM, virtually, on 20th April attended by 12 Branch members and 21 guests from other Branches and Societies. Minutes of the previous meeting approved, reports of committee work and finances over the intervening period, committee members re-elected, this part of the meeting was disposed of in good time so we could get on with enjoying a presentation by Stuart Warr on “Railway Holidays in the West Country, Part 1 – Cornwall”. Using images taken by Stuart during holidays with his good lady, and other times with friends, the journey commenced with both lines which cross the River Tamar (Gunnislake branch and then downstream to the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash), we then ventured through the county taking in all the branches before terminating in Penzance. We saw a wide range of traction from cl.08s to cl.66s on passenger and freight workings, HSTs, IETs, 2nd generation DMUs from cl.142 to cl.166 including cl.158s in the short lived Alphaline livery, cl153s wearing all over adverts for Visit Cornwall, steam workings on the Bodmin and Wenford, heritage diesels on the main line and delightfully restored station architecture. Stuart knows the county well and demonstrated an ability to find unusual photographic locations. A wonderful presentation to conclude a disrupted meeting season, providing a booster jab for those of us longing for a good British holiday.