3rd October 2019 · “Steam – East of Wakefield”

Presenter: Roger Hepworth

Following shortly behind the regular September evening meeting was the autumn afternoon session, which attracted the usual steady number of attendees. A most interesting and detailed presentation was delivered by Roger Hepworth speaking to the subject of “Steam East of Wakefield”, comprising of many excellent, mainly black and white, images taken by him in the fifties and sixties. Interjections of colour photographs appeared throughout the programme as were a plentiful supply of diesels since the material covered the transition years from steam to diesel. Early illustrations covered workings around Ossett and Wakefield featuring much of the Eastern Region motive power, especially the main line Pacifics working back and forth from Doncaster and beyond.

Every day action in Leeds where locomotives from both Eastern and Midland regions came together, described a mixture of motive power at both Central and City stations. Passenger and freight duties within and around the city were shown in equal mix.

The route from Wakefield and Leeds detailed much of what was to be seen whilst travelling towards York. A particular sequence of images dwelt on activities on East Coast metals in the vicinity of Heck. Naturally York was to be the scene where station and shed movements were concentrated.

Moving northwards North Eastern locations and visitations took in both the main East Coast and Durham coast routes to Newcastle before material from the York-Scarborough line and East Coast holiday towns brought the show to conclusion.