LOCOMOTIVE CLUB of GREAT BRITAIN
BEDFORD BRANCH
Indoor Meetings
Our indoor meetings are enjoyed by both LCGB members and guests 13 times a year. All railway enthusiasts are welcome. Only August is without a meeting. Subjects vary enormously – with our guest speakers treating their subjects in a variety of styles varying from light-hearted to technical (but not too technical!)
Meetings are held at 7.30pm on Tuesdays at St Johns Church Hall,St John’s Street, Bedford MK42 0DL (Click for map and Rail Links) Refreshments are served at half-time.
You can buy new and second-hand books and other items at all indoor meetings.
We also visit exhibitions, open days etc.
Members only may use the library at all meetings.
Local Information
Bedford Tourist Information St Paul’s Square, MK40 1SJ
01234 215 226 touristinfo@bedford.gov.uk Click
here for website
Indoor meetings
[Tuesdays unless otherwise stated]
2012
3rd January -- Fifty-Fifty Midland Main Line
Former Branch Secretary Richard Crane presents his pictorial review
of the changes to the 50 miles north from St Pancras over the past 50
years
7th February -- Trains that passed Roade Junction and Around
Northamptonshire
LCGB Branch Organisation Officer Robin Patrick will be showing colour
slides of the West Coast Main Line at Roade and elsewhere in Northamptonshire
from the 1960s to the present day, covering both steam and modern traction
13th March -- Quiz v RCTS
LCGB Bedford and RCTS Northampton compete yet again for “the Ashes”
– a small casket of ashes from Ravenstone Wood Junction signal
box. A team from LCGB St Albans will join us to compete for the Fred
Cockman Trophy. Quizmaster to be announced. (Note: this is the second
Tuesday of the month)
3rd April -- Colour-Rail Journey
The new custodian of Colour-Rail, Paul Chancellor, presents a selection
of colour slides from the latest catalogue with scenes from 1948 to
1980, including a short discussion about the preservation of photographic
and digital images for future generations
1st May -- Cambridge to Oxford - 1960 Onwards
Tommy Tomalin of RCTS Northampton examines this former cross-country
link from his distinctive standpoint which embraces the infrastructure
as well as the trains.
12th June -- The Southern
Railway 1900 – 1960 (Note date change)
From the extensive Ken Nunn photographic collection Graham Stacey, its
custodian, looks back on the Southern, its constituents and successor
with a digital presentation
3rd July -- Railways Since Privatisation
As a career railwayman and latterly MD of First Great Eastern, LCGB
Chairman Bob Breakwell is well placed to examine the successes and failures
since privatisation. His view on the future for the railways should
be interesting!
13th-25th August -- Bedford Library display
Another chance to be jostled by coffee drinkers whilst looking at the
pictures
4th September -- The North Wales Coast Part 2
David Scudamore continues his exploration of this significant traffic
artery. Where he starts depends on how far he got in Part 1 but our
money is on somewhere near Abergele.
2nd October -- Railways of the Peak District
Well-known photographer Les Nixon returns with a comprehensive review
of the lines in his home territory. He promises around 35% BR steam
Closing date for photographic competition entries
23rd October -- AGM and Branch Photographic Competition
Our annual outbreak of democracy, followed once again by the photographic
competition. Both need support but the difference is that we are obliged
to hold the AGM
6th November -- Back To London in the 1960s Part 2
By popular demand, photographer Peter Groom returns to complete the
talk he began in June last year and amaze us all with his grasp of minute
detail. Starting where he left off Peter will continue with the East
Coast Main Line and Hornsey. We will have a look at St Pancras and Kentish
Town but where will we go from there?
19th November (Monday) -- Quiz v RCTS (away leg) at
St Crispin Social Club, Berrywood Rd, Duston, Northampton, NN5 4XD.
(Note: this is on a Monday)
4th December -- Engine Sheds Part 3
Once again we welcome Chris Banks with the third of his entertaining
series of engine shed talks illustrated with colour slides showing engines,
depots and infrastructure. He takes us from Crewe to Eastbourne, covering
Darlington, Derby and Doncaster with all the less glamorous sheds in
between
18th December -- Christmas Special
There must be another way to describe the traditional mix of brain teasers,
slides and festive pub grub. Oh no there isn’t ..
Meeting Summaries
3 January 2012 – 50 Miles North of St Pancras for 50 Years – Richard Crane by Chris Foren
The Branch welcomed its former Secretary and well-known promoter of the Bedford-Bletchley line, Richard Crane. Taking great pains to deny any expertise of the Midland, Richard presented a selection of photographs taken between Bedford and St Pancras in the last 50 years or so by various contributors to the Colour-Rail catalogue, supplemented by many through his own camera’s lens. The variety of motive power to be seen over the period was considerable and very little went unmentioned. Reminders of the Midland Pullman, the Park Royal railbuses, the Co-Bos and the APT-E, all long gone, were particularly welcome but the workaday 9Fs, Jubilees and Royal Scots, Rolls-Royce dmus, Peak diesels and even the Class 317 electrics triggered no little nostalgia. The commentary covered the transition from steam to diesel power, suburban electrification and the significant decision to reinstate the cross-London route that has come to be known as Thameslink. We were reminded how few passenger trains called at Bedford and points south in steam days compared with today’s lavish and well-patronised service. The almost total disappearance of freight and parcels traffic could not have been foreseen 50 years ago but there were plenty of illustrations to remind those present of how the railway used to earn its money. Inevitably a section of the presentation was devoted to the transformation of St Pancras, which might have been flattened but for Sir John Betjeman. Richard conveyed his fascination for his subject with an enthusiasm matched only by that of those in the audience who could not resist burbling it to one another – a sure sign of an enjoyable evening. |
| 20 December 2011 – Annual
Photo Competition and Christmas Party
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The Bedford Branch always has a “Christmas Special” on the third Tuesday of December. This time it was combined with the Photo Competition. Here is Steve Lacey’s winning print. In his own words:- “The picture was taken on 19.1.2011 at Wansford on the Nene Valley Railway. It shows Alan Whenman, 92 Squadron’s Engineer, torching off the old ashpan, after the boiler had been lifted from the frames by the NVR steam crane. It was taken on a second-hand Canon EOS 300D, which is now 6 years old, on full auto setting (sorry about that to the purists, but the camera’s brain is usually better than mine!). | |
It was cropped to 8"x10” format and adjusted a bit using Windows Live Photo Gallery. It was printed on an Epson Stylus Photo R285 using Epson Ultra Glossy Photo Paper.” Well done to the prize winners and thanks to all who entered. Thanks to Judges David Eatwell and Bryan Cross. | |
%20n.JPG) Afterwards the Party started with dinner supplied by The Phoenix across the road (thanks to Brigid). Then came Alan Ledwick’s “Stinker” quiz – nearly impossible as usual! The event was rounded off with the raffle and a Tom and Jerry cartoon. A great night thanks to Master of Ceremonies Bryan Cross and of course all the participants. | |
| 6 December 2011 The Branch returned to its regular meeting place of St John’s Church Hall and admired the new décor and amenities, especially the serving hatch. Annual visitor Chris Banks christened the refurbished habitat with Part 2 of his “Engine Sheds” presentation, warning as he began that Part 12 has been compiled with more to come! Part 2 began at Bournemouth and ended at Carnforth, giving building and closure dates for each shed and a brief life of nearly every loco depicted. Lovers of Carlisle (especially Kingmoor) enjoyed most of the second half whereas aficionados of Cardiff East Dock waited in vain for even the briefest glimpse. Locomotives illustrated displayed variable standards of cleanliness, many more neglected than pristine. The presentation evoked some deep-seated memories in members of the audience. The format is simple but most effective and the Branch has already invited Chris for more of the same next year. 7 November 2011 
Above - Our leader accepts the Ashes from RCTS Northampton
Chairman John Harrison. David Pick1 November 2011 4th October 2011 Peter Bland Collection Part 2 The Branch met at a new, temporary and half-timbered home on 4/10 when the Branch’s own Bryan Cross showed a second selection from the late Peter Bland’s photographic collection. Bryan has devoted much time, effort and skill to scanning Peter’s black and white negatives and turning the results into viewable images, for which he rightly commands the gratitude of all. With the aid of the Branch’s new digital projector and countless hours of Photoshop he showed samples of Peter’s extensive travels between 1947 (when he was still a teenager) and 1954 in which he photographed many locos with little, if any, life expectancy. The main area of search was Scotland but he also recorded oil burners at Wakefield and the imminent end of passenger services at locations as diverse as Rickmansworth Church Street and the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley. In June 1951 Peter spent an intensive week in Ireland. The major part of the presentation covered this trip, which must have been either very well organised or extremely lucky! Peter’s tour embraced both broad and narrow gauges and discovered many curiosities that so typified the Ireland of the time. Despite the presence of some relatively modern steam in Ulster much Irish motive power and coaching stock was well past decrepitude and the finances of the network precarious. Sadly time ran out before the colour section could be projected but there is every reason for optimism that further parts of the Peter Bland story will appear on the Branch programme. If only Peter had been more willing to show his fine work during his lifetime. 20th September AGM Our annual outbreak of democracy. The Committee was completely re-elected. This was followed by “Scenes from the 60s” by Peter Crossman. 6th September The North Wales Coast Part 1 David Scudamore drew on his extensive knowledge and slide collection to begin a journey from Chester towards Holyhead. He looked at the railway from its construction to the present day. How far he gets will depend on the audience but past form suggests somewhere around Abergele and Pensarn. 5th July UK High Speed Rail: HS2 and Beyond Peter Allen took advantage of inside information to update us on the continually evolving prospects for this controversial proposal. 7th June Back To London in the 1960s Well-known photographer and rivet counter (his words!) Peter Groom is always a welcome and entertaining visitor. This time he showed us the major London sheds on all four Regions and some, like Southall and Feltham, that are a bit further out. 3rd May From Kodachrome to Digital – David Eatwell New Speaker David described his transitional years onwards. 5th April Carlisle: A Railway Mecca and Football Outpost Once again Colin Briggs made a connection between railways and football in the third of his distinctive presentations on this theme. 8th March Quiz v RCTS For over 50 years LCGB Bedford and RCTS Northampton have competed twice yearly, in this enduring quiz, for “the Ashes” – a small casket of ashes from Ravenstone Wood Junction signal box. This was a good quiz with varied content. We lost 128 – 124. Better tactics needed! 1st February London’s Disused Stations – The Midland Railway Author and publisher Jim Connor returned to acquaint us with another selection of abandoned stations. This time he showed us just how many there are south of Hendon and why their life was so short. 4th January The David Mills Collection David Mills was a popular and prolific transport photographer. His brother-in-law, Roger Whitehead, showed us a selection of images from David’s extensive collection of colour slides, 1960 onwards, covering all rail scenes including BR, preservation and overseas. |
| Tuesday 2nd November 2010 -- "Rails to Victory: Allied Military
Locomotives of World War II" -- Mike Hudson by Chris Foren The Branch welcomed Mike Hudson with his presentation "Rails to Victory: Allied Military Locomotives of World War II". The use of Stanier's 8F overseas is well known, as is the post-war influx to BR of heavy freight locomotives built for use in Europe, but the carriage of troops by the Liverpool and Manchester in the 1830s is less common knowledge. Mike referred briefly to the use of North British, Great Western and Great Central locos in the 1914-18 conflict before turning to the very complex story of the deployment and construction of motive power in World War II. Such classes as J15s, J50s and Jinties were requisitioned for use in France but abandoned after Dunkirk and not retrieved until after the end of the war. Locomotive builders such as Vulcan Foundry and North British were kept fully occupied constructing motive power for use in Europe and the Middle East. Even before the USA entered the war preparations were advanced for mass production of S160 2-8-0s and what have come to be called USA tanks. Both types saw service in some surprising places apart from the UK. Not to be forgotten were the so-called MacArthur 2-8-2s deployed in the Far East. Redeployment of locomotives was not confined to the standard gauge: thus Indian engines were sent to Egypt and South African to the Sudan. The multiplicity of gauges in Australia made its railways a useful source of supply. Fortunately Mike was able to illustrate, mostly from his own photographs, many instances of British and American-built locos around the world and, in just a few instances, at work in preservation in the UK. All in all this was a fascinating presentation and all without notes! Tuesday 4 October 2010 -- Trains in the Snow -- Les Nixon by Chris Foren Renowned
photographer Dr Les Nixon gave his presentation “Trains In
The Snow”. As he demonstrated clearly, photography in adverse
weather conditions calls for patience and often presents difficulties
in reaching the preferred location. In the second half we ventured further afield – Turkey, South
America, South Africa, the USA and a particularly fine sequence
shot on the Ji-Tong line above Reshui. |
| Tuesday 21 Sept 2010 -- BRANCH AGM & PHOTO COMPETITION The Branch AGM was held on 21/9 and, despite the added attraction of the photographic competition, was poorly attended. This year it was the turn of the Secretary to be absent. Bill Davies, the Chairman, thanked the Committee and other helpers for their contributions during the past 12 months but only Bill and Wendy Roffe, who make the tea, received applause! The so-called awkward questions were parried effectively and it is now known what a 'cordless presenter' is (a remote control). Branch Liaison Officer Robin Patrick report on Main Club affairs then conducted the voting. Yet again the Committee was elected unopposed, though there are still vacancies. Fixtures Officer Bryan Cross previewed the 2011 programme and afternoon meetings, which other societies have found successful, are being investigated. Once the democracy had been completed it was time for the photographic competition, judged by former Branch stalwart David Eatwell whose views on what constitutes a good photograph are by his own admission fairly fixed and rigid. David was generally successful in being constructive about most entries but it was clear that not all photographers see things his way! With the rapid decline of slide film it was noticeable how many prints and digital images were entered and how few recent slides. by Chris Foren 
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Tuesday 6 July 2010 – Locomotive Archaeology report by Chris Foren |
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| The Branch enjoyed another visit from Dr Michael Bailey on 6/7. On this occasion he spoke on "The Archaeology of Early Steam Locomotives". Dr Bailey described 10 projects, ranging in scope from tracing locomotives lost at sea to following his own recommendations for restoration of a relic last used in 1873. The common factor was lengthy and careful research into each subject, including locating and conserving drawings. The RAF Sub-Aqua Club assisted in two cases. In one, an engine had set sail for Nova Scotia in 1857 but got no further than Islay where the ship foundered. Divers used explosives to remove the concrete-like residue of marine life so that wheels, bits of firebox and the like could be retrieved from the deep. Checking the builder's plate against the maker's records revealed that the loco had been a 4-4-0, a rarity in 1857. One product of Dr Bailey's work was the Planet replica, based at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, in which modern materials and techniques were employed whilst preserving the appearance of the original. This was a fascinating presentation and surely dispelled any suggestion that archaeology is dull. It also demonstrated that the award of the MBE to Dr Bailey in the Queen's Birthday Honours List was well deserved. |
 Above: Bedford Branch Chairman Bill Davies congratulates Dr Michael Bailey of the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry on his railway-related MBE [photo by Bryan Cross] |
Tuesday 2 March 2010 -- Inter-Club Quiz
by Chris Foren
For this year’s home leg of the contest
for the Ashes teams from RCTS Northampton and LCGB St Albans joined
us once again, plus four unofficial teams. Branch Chairman Bill Davies acted as quizmaster, using PowerPoint technology with irritating graphics to illustrate the questions. Once again the subject matter was wide ranging and the answers expected, but not necessarily given, ranged from Gladstone to James the Engine. Despite the care taken in compiling the questions it became apparent that quizmasters do not know everything, such as the difference between the Royal Border and Royal Albert Bridges! The teams did not know everything either and one clocked up a first by scoring nil points in round 2. Bedford fielded the same A team which narrowly failed to retain the Ashes at the away leg in November. This time it fared rather better and maintained a narrow lead throughout a mostly high-scoring contest. The scores attained by the fringe teams ranged from 43 to 73 points. By comparison the fortunes of the official teams were mixed. The final scores were: Bedford A 115, Bedford B 67, Northampton A 109, Northampton B 88, St Albans A 33, St Albans B 64. Bedford A therefore win the Ashes and the Fred Cockman trophy. As has been remarked before, a quiz such as this cannot be just thrown together if it is to be any good. The Branch echoes the thanks proffered to Bill Davies by the captain of the winning team for an awfully good quiz. |
Tuesday 22 September -- AGM plus Photo Competition
Welcome to new Chairman Bill Davies
| Incoming Chairman Bill Davies seems pleased to receive the File of Office but outgoing Chairman Bryan Cross seems reluctant to let go! (Geoff Biggs) |  |
| The AGM began with the sad news of the death of Peter
Bland, a long-standing committee member. With both the Treasurer and
the member who usually asks awkward questions absent the formal business
was concluded efficiently. Robin Patrick, representing the MC, paid
tribute to Bryan Cross who retired as Chairman after 19 years. Fortunately
he will remain as member for indoor fixtures. As usual the Committee
was elected unopposed, now with two vacancies. |
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| Neither the AGM nor the Branch photographic competition has been well supported of late so the decision was taken to have both on the same evening. The judge, Phil Gilbert, spoke constructively about each entry and observed that in the digital age 90% of the entries had been on film. As only three black and white prints had been entered no prize was awarded in this category. | Photo Competition Results OVERALL WINNER British Steam, Overseas Steam, Modern Traction, Computer Prints - all Ted Burley Non - Traction - Roger Whitehead Colour Prints - Bill Davies Black & White Prints No Award |
TED BURLEY won September's Photographic Competition
with this superb shot taken on the Heber Valley RR in Utah, USA
in February 2008.
Tuesday 3 March -- Inter-Club Quiz by Chris Foren
How quickly the contest for the Ashes comes
around!
This year’s home leg took place on 3/3 when teams from RCTS Northampton
and LCGB St Albans Branch joined us once again, augmented by a team labelled
“A N Other” comprising anyone else who fancied taking part, including some
of the brainpower on which the
Branch Chairman Bryan Cross again drew the short straw as quizmaster but
this time he drew on the absent brains of Bill Davies to supply some of
the questions. The subject matter ranged from 1900 to 2009 with perhaps
an undue emphasis on the Pre-Grouping Atlas.
The arguments, on which our MC seems to thrive, began with the second question
and continued throughout the quiz. Once again
The home team took an early lead but peaked too early and by the end of
round three was trailing by two points. In round four we drew level with
This was rivalry at its friendliest and although it may not have sounded
like it at the time all present appreciated the work invested by
The final scores:
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| LCGB Chairman Jack Butcher (left) congratulates Captains Chris Foren (LCGB Bedford) and Ken Fairey (RCTS Northampton) on their teams' nail-biting finish. [Geoff Biggs |
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Friday October 24th - Branch 50th Anniversary
Dinner |
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| Concluding the Branch’s 50th birthday celebrations, a dinner was held at “The Barns”, Bedford. Pictured are (from the right) Charles Firminger, Club Bulletin Editor who spoke at the branch’s first ever meeting; Club Chairman Jack Turner, who is Club Member No.1 and a founder member of the branch; and Mrs. Turner. Members and guests enjoyed a splendid dinner followed by nostalgic cabaret from Branch Chairman Bryan Cross followed by Branch Librarian and noted raconteur Bill Davies. We must thank everyone who made this and other 50th Anniversary events what they were. Thanks also to those people who started the Branch all those years ago. |
Tuesday 7 October - Branch
Photographic Competition
 Our photographic competition
was judged by former Branch Chairman Peter Butler. Our judge stressed
the importance of record shots without sounding derogatory but preferred
images that had been composed carefully, using such techniques as
framing the subject with trees. Unusually, almost every class was
won by a different entrant. The winners were as follows: British steam
slides, overseas steam slides and the Derek Robinson Trophy: Ted Burley.
Modern traction slides: Bryan Cross. Non-traction slides: Chris Foren
and Ray Schofield (tie). Computer generated prints: Bill Davies. Film-based
prints: Richard Crane.
Next Year’s Photo Competition will be run on AGM night Tuesday 22 September 2009. The photo shows the winning modern traction slide:- an overflowing Class 31 at Cambridge on the last day of the Cambridge Buffet Express. Tuesday 23 September -- AGM plus Charles Firminger. Saturday 20 September – Branch 50th
Anniversary Open Day Our 50th Anniversary Rail Day was at St Johns Hall, Bedford. Several
member and friends lent a wide variety of relics and artefacts for
display – nameplates, totems, lamps, photographs and much more.
Four model railway layouts added interest, the shunting puzzle in
particular proving very popular. An added highlight was the arrival
of Ian Pearce of BBC Three Counties Radio who dropped in to cut the
birthday cake. We thank everybody who helped with this great day.
The Photo (by Bryan Cross) shows a small part of the wonderful display
of railwayana on show.
Tuesday 2 September – Chiltern Railways |
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| On 5th March we hosted the home leg of the long-running twice-yearly
quiz against RCTS Northampton for the Ashes. LCGB St Albans Branch joined
us again. Branch Chairman Bryan Cross was our very able Quizmaster and everyone was impressed by his use of a Power Point Presentation to pose and illustrate the questions The first round was close but Northampton pulled ahead and St Albans fell further behind as the contest proceeded. We would have liked to regain the Ashes in our 50th anniversary year but it was not to be this time so Northampton pick up the engraving bill once more! The final scores were: Northampton 175, Bedford 144, St Albans 129. |
The photo (by Bryan Cross) shows RCTS Captain Ken Fairey
(left) receiving “The Ashes” from Club Chairman Jack Turner. |
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| Dr Michael Bailey returned to us on 1/7 to continue
his compelling account of the life and work of Robert Stephenson.
The 29-year-old engineer in chief of the London and Birmingham Railway, the largest civil engineering project since the Great Wall of China, built a team of mostly young men on whom he relied heavily to design and build the railway with only mining and canal practice to guide them. They encountered many unexpected problems which called for radical solutions. Chief among these was the band of quicksand in Kilsby Tunnel which delayed the completion of the line but provided a good example of Stephenson’s technique for solving seemingly intractable problems. Until the tunnel was finished passengers were conveyed by road between Rugby and Blisworth (so no change there then). Few contractors had the expertise to undertake the work of construction and eight went to the wall. In this period Stephenson oversaw the advent of wooden cross sleepers and bullhead rail and the link motion which bears his name. In addition he was appointed consulting engineer for such railways in England as the London and Blackwall, the North Midland and the Birmingham and Derby Junction as well as projects in France, Germany and the new country of Belgium. Inevitably there were conflicts of interest, particularly where locomotive procurement was concerned, but the reporting lines he established and the standard and volume of written communication would be a cause for envy today if more were aware of it. Once again Dr Bailey gave us a fascinating evening and provoked some searching questions. We look forward to Part 3! |
The Bedford Branch's 50th Anniversary
year got off to a fantastic start with 2008's first clubnight. [photo -- Bryan Cross |
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