BRANCHES
All branches have their own web pages which list their 2010 programme,
address and times of meetings. Just click the links in the left
hand panel
NEXT FIXTURES
JULY
Tuesday 6th: Bedford Branch meeting. ‘A Round-Up of Early Steam Locomotives’ by Dr Michael Bailey who has worked on early steam locomotives for museums in various countries. He will describe the archaeological, restoration and conservation work that was carried out and learnt about early locomotive design and performance as a result.
Wednesday 14th: Dorking Branch meeting. ‘Bluebell Update’ by Robin Elliott.
Friday 16th: Central London Branch meeting. ‘Island Lines (including IoW, IoM) by Geoff King.
AUGUST
Friday 20th: Central London Branch meeting. Members’ slides and digital images
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES
Bedford
John Downing, on 6/4, spoke on his railway career. As
a boy, he lived by the Midland main line near West Hampstead and became
a fireman at Cricklewood enduring his enthusiasm for the Midland.
In the section between Finchley Road and Hendon he showed how much had gone
over the years – the stations at Finchley Road and Welsh Harp, the
exchange sidings with the Metropolitan at Finchley Road and those at West
End Lane and Cricklewood to handle the lost freight traffic all illustrated
with a comprehensive selection of photos obtained from a wide variety of
sources.
Fortunately he recorded commonplace sights while they were still in place.
Others had done so while the line was being built and widened; it was salutary
to note just how quickly what was then rural Middlesex disappeared under
housing once the railway had come. The men and women of the railway were
not forgotten and members were introduced not only to drivers and firemen
but also to the office staff at Cricklewood loco, itself long gone.
The Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Jn. was examined from a different
perspective on 4/5 by Andy Thompson. His chance discovery 5 years
ago that Tesco in Towcester was built on the former station site triggered
the research led to a comprehensive website and burgeoning enthusiasm for
the subject.
Built to convey iron ore, its ambitions of linking the Midland Counties
with South Wales were clipped by the 1860s banking crash. The GCR opening
in 1899 brought a modest boost in the line’s fortunes and in 1909
the constituent companies came together as the SMJ. If the SMJ had a heyday
it was during World War II as a diversionary route but its passenger services
were withdrawn by 1952.
1960 saw upgrades and more traffic but by 1967 it was all over. Andy showed
movie footage from 1928 and 1949 and a trip over the route using Google
Earth and Streetview, showed just how much is still visible despite the
ravages of development. The taped interviews with retired railwaymen that
were played brought out the importance of oral history.
Brighton
‘On the narrow gauge since 2000’ was enjoyed by another
well attended joint meeting on 22/3. The speaker, jovial David
Vaughan, took his audience on an extensive photographic tour of Britain’s
narrow gauge railways, there being too many to be listed in detail, while
European narrow gauge also featured plus several miniature railways.
Quite a few pictures were shown of progress at the Tinkers Park 2 ft gauge
railway in which David is heavily involved plus his own 16mm gauge railway
including his one time fluffy ginger cat luxuriating across all the running
lines!
Bruce Cakebread’s ‘An Emerald Corucopia’ on 26/4
produced a evening of the great diversity of railcars, locomotives etc.
which ran in Ireland until the end of steam in the late 1960s.
His carefully prepared notes on each picture and the subjects depicted spanned
from the 1840s round to the late 1960s when the ex NCC WT class 2-6-4Ts
were working spoil trains. It was reckoned that Bruce showed locomotives
(and a horse) from twenty five different railways although some of these
later formed part of the Great Southern.
A picture of the Great Southern Rly’s 800 class 4-6-0s brought back
wonderful memories of these three handsome engines. With the exception of
the 101 class 0-6-0s, later classified J15, no other Irish classes ran to
member’s memories.
What a great tragedy that the Listowel & Ballybunion Railway closed
between the two world wars; to have seen it running would have been a great
privilege. The set of pictures of the L & B R created great interest
amongst the audience as did the horse drawn Fintona Tram.
Central London
On 16/4 Ian Silvester gave a digital image presentation entitled ‘China
in the 21st century’. China is rapidly becoming a major economic
player in the world but, mainly in the north east of this huge land, there
is still steam to be found in active service on major industrial systems
such as at steel works.
These are worlds away from the tourist China of the Great Wall and the Terra
Cotta Army and Ian presented stunning images of steam in action in mainly
winter snow and sunshine conditions. These were taken in several trips over
the last decade and included the Jing Peng pass where only comparatively
recently the QJs have been replaced by diesel power.
Ian’s dedication as a photographer, taking photos in remote locations
in the early morning in temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees, has been
amply rewarded with not only excellent railway pictures but also with scenes
of the railway set in its real context with the people. As such, it was
a glimpse of the real railway workaday China with which we all became better
acquainted.
Colin Miell’s presentation on 21/5 entitled ‘The Best
of Copper Canyon Mexico and Albania’ was on two successful
Club trips to these countries.
Albania’s railway system is run down with an uncertain future and
a 30 mph speed limit. Active diesel traction consists of some 82 Czech-built
T669 locomotives recognisable as former Soviet Union ‘Chummy threes’.
Passenger stock, often in poor condition, consists of former Italian and
German vehicles and some rather derelict ex-DB V200 diesels seen in one
of the dumps.
The Copper Canyon Railroad runs from Los Mochis to Chiuhuahua in Mexico
and is about 410 miles long in total. In a contrast to Albania, it is in
better condition with an infrequent tourist passenger service but carrying
some considerable freight volume. The line dates from 1961 but was never
worked with steam, and GM GPe diesels seem to be the main motive power working
ex-Canadian stock is in very good shape.
The selling point of the line is the spectacular scenery through which it
runs, reaching an altitude of about 2,400 metres.
Croydon
Dave Baker screened gems from his transport film collection on 25/2. ‘Work
in Progress’ (1951) included scenes at Woodhead with 18000,
British Road Services at Whitemoor, gravity shunting, local bus services
at Bristol and a ferry crossing to Calais.
A journey then from Bradford to Leeds in two minutes before recalling the
Kings Cross to Edinburgh non-stop on 1 May 1968 behind 4472 including scenes
along the route. Some railway personalities of that era were Rev. Awdry
and C. Hamilton Ellis, with an acknowledgement of the LCGB by the BBC. ‘Railroad
Builders’, an American 1963 film, recalled the construction of the
Sacramento to Omaha Railroad and ‘Men Who Work’ (1936) on car
manufacturing at Longbridge.
‘A Winter Journey’ (1952) followed a Yorkshire farmer relocating
with his animals to Hartfield, Sussex, featuring 65061. Then the centenary
of the Marlow branch on 15/7/73 and finally a ‘Railway Roundabout’
film from 1958 ‘Three Branch Lines’ with 32661 at Hayling Island,
58138 at Halesowen and 58085 at Southwell.
After the Branch AGM on 25/3 and refreshments came slides and digital
photos. Mike Hudson: 45562 at Leeds in 1967, scenes at Ashington
NCB and Bowaters, overseas views in Austria, France, Italy, New Zealand
(‘Kingston Flyer’ and Ferrymead Museum) and Turkey.
Martin Cresswell: the 2000 event Wolstyn in Poland; Clinton Shaw: the LCGB
Devon Holiday 2009 which included L&BR Woody Bay, Meldon Viaduct, Bickleigh
Railway Centre, 60163 passing Dawlish, Swanage with 30053 and 53809 and
Whitewebbs Museum near Crews Hill, Enfield.
Charles Firminger: 60 cm Volos to Milee line, Greece and the Dutch preserved
lines at Medemblik, Amersfoort, Valkenburg and the Steam Tramway in Rotterdam.
Jeremy Harrison: 1960’s slides from the Les Gosling collection including
scenes from Bulmers, the KESR, Longmoor, LCGB specials on the Steyning line
and the Vectis Farewell tour with 33027 and 34002 and finally, Bob Stonehouse
with views from the Dresden Event, Germany in 1995.
Dorking
Club member Graham Stacey was welcomed on 10/3 when he
give a presentation using the photographs from the vast Ken Nunn
collection. Ken was a former LCGB member and when he died in 1965
he left his collection of photographs to the Club. Graham was designated
to be the custodian of these photographs and has subsequently over the years
has catalogued every print.
The subject chosen for the presentation were the companies that eventually
evolved into the Southern Railway and then the Southern Region of BR in
1948. Graham gave a great deal of factual information about the photographs
shown and all present had a most enjoyable evening. He was thanked for a
most entertaining evening and it is hoped that he will return again in the
future.
On 14/4 David Jones gave an illustrated talk on reconstructing a
LBSCR H2 (Atlantic) Class 32424 Beachy Head being undertaken on
the Bluebell Railway starting with a brief history of the class.
A boiler located at a factory in Essex had its origins traced to a GNR loco;
the dimensions were similar and tests found to be in a very good condition.
It was later stored at Sheffield Park. The majority of parts would have
to be made from scratch although a few suitable parts were found.
The only original parts known to exist are the nameplates, regulator and
whistle the latter two being given to the project for use on the completed
loco. Parts of a C2X tender were located in a Middlesex scrapyard whose
wheels will be used in the new tender. It was too late to save the complete
tender it having been used in a display at Windsor station with a replica
GWR locomotive. As many of the parts, including the main frames, have been
made it is now a question of putting them together. All look forward to
see Beachy Head running on the Bluebell Railway in a few years.
Dave Baker returned on 18/5 with ‘Carrying the Load’
being an evening of films on rail freight starting with its origins when
rails were laid and trucks were either moved by man power or horses and
the progression to using steam or diesel power to move goods across the
country.
Then a film on the benefits of using fully fitted trains and the importance
of the crews working together. ‘Snow Drift at Bleath Gill’ told
the story of a freight train stuck in deep snow and the efforts required
to free it. ‘Farmer Moving South’ showed what a Yorkshire farmer
needed to move his complete farm to a new location in Sussex and had his
own train to move everything. As a change to the BTF films, Dave included
an American film called ‘Case of the Deadly Drums’. This film
was an amusing story about deadly chemical drums which had been loaded on
to two train, both travelling in different directions. The story ended well
in that disaster was averted and the drums were traced at the very last
minute before they exploded.
North London
On 6/4 the Branch was visited by Steve Leyland from LOROL
this being the operating company responsible for London Overground, the
project to extend and operate the East London Line from Dalston Junction
to West Croydon.
Steve’s main professional responsibility is for the stations on the
East London Line. He talked about all the aspects of the project including
a detailed explanation about the assembly of the class 378 rolling stock
and showed slides and several short films about the line including the first
hesitant and careful run on the line.
Other videos described how two major bridges, at New Cross Gate and Bethnal
Green, were swung into place. Concrete slab track has been installed over
much of what was the former London Underground line. Remarkably little work
was needed to the Thames Tunnel. Steve was also able to describe the new
control centre and depot at New Cross Gate and extensions to Highbury and
Islington and Clapham Junction; trial services are to be run shortly over
part of the route.
On 4/5, Alan Sturrock stepped in to show some of his photographs
of Industrial steam. In the1960s Alan, with his friends, had the
opportunity to visit many industrial plants to photograph the steam locomotives
still in use. The examples of motive power he recorded were constructed
by all of the major builders and could be seen operating in gas works, power
stations, paper mills and, of course, mining operations.
Alan photographed some unusual vehicles which included fireless locos and
one that could be described as a tea urn on wheels!
North West
On 18/2 a tour was taken of Paris courtesy of the Branch Chairman
John Sloane with his illustrated talk entitled ‘The Wonderful
Railways of Paris’. Covering the late steam era up to the present
day, each of the Termini were seen together with their locos, trains, depots
and the routes that lead into them, some shown by aerial photography.
Also covered were the Petite Ceinture and the Grande Ceinture intensive
freight lines and the development of the RER suburban network together with
maps depicting the lines concerned. Slides were taken during John’s
numerous visits and, besides all the expected SNCF loco types, there were
shots of Belgian, Dutch and German locos, and Spanish Talgo trains.
There were unusual types such as an ex DB V200 at the Siefel loco repair
shop at Mitry Claye, several 2D2 electrics and a rare 3 phase 0-4-0 electric
‘Traverser loco’ at La Folie EMU works. Steam was not forgotten
and included various 2-8-2Ts, 4-6-0s, one of the impressive De Caso 232S
class at Gare du Nord and pacifics and 4-8-2s outside Gare de L’ Est
Geoff Monks subject was a tour of Southern Africa entitled ‘Steam
under the Southern Sun’ on 15/4. In Nairobi, the Kenyan steam
types included Garratts on the Mombassa line and 29s on the climb from the
Rift Valley.
Angola followed with scenes at Luanda and on the Benguela Railway with oil
and woodburners on the line from Lobito through Nova Lisboa to Silva Porto.
The late 60cm line had a Bagnall working from Gabela to the coast on the
Port Amboinm line. Mocambique produced a collection of power from the Atlantics
of Nampula, through 2-10-2s, Henschel and second-hand Garratts, to big dock
tanks and the 75cm system at Joao Belo.
After a brief visit to Swaziland it was into Garratt country in Rhodesia
for scenes at Bulawayo, West Nicolson, Wankie and air views of a 20th on
Victoria Falls bridge. South Africa then produced superb scenes on the main
lines from Bloemfontein and De Aar and on a host of branches to the south
and east. Innumerable classes included rare Garratt and tank types and glimpses
of the narrow gauge and the variety in industry.
After the Branch AGM held on 20/5 matters turned to members and visitors
photographs. Commencing with digital pictures, first to be seen
was a selection of both current and 1960s scenes from past Branch Chairman,
Eddie Bellas, before Alan Rigby (to whom thanks went for the projector)
showed a wide variety of recent modern traction.
Moving to traditional slides, Robin Patrick showed scenes from 2010 covering
BR, preserved steam, narrow gauge and the recent German Plandampf. John
Owen showed more variety from the UK including narrow gauge at Cleethorpes
and Threlkeld Quarry. Geoff Monks followed with a selection from the USA
including the UP Challenger on Sherman Hill and the Colorado narrow gauge
lines. A very varied evening was brought to a close by Secretary/Treasurer
Neville Bond who showed vintage movie including Rainhill 150 and trips to
Canada and the USA in the early 80s.
St Albans
Dr Michael Bailey gave on 11/3 the fourth part of his talk about
Robert Stephenson. By 1848 he was the leading consultant engineer
in Britain making him greatly in demand and involved with the construction
of the Chester & Holyhead Railway, an important link, as the Government
wished to maintain closer links with the Irish Government in Dublin.
Dr Bailey placed special emphasis on the bridges across the Conway River
and the Menai Strait that he was involved in. In his role as a consulting
engineer, his opinion was sought on many schemes ranging from the Great
Exhibition of 1851 to plans for a sewage system in London. His locomotive
building company continued to expand, with the first British 3 cylinder
engines and further units of 2-2-2, 0-6-0 and 4-4-0 wheel types, the latter
being the first of their type in this country although exported to Turkey.
The 0-6-0s began a long line of similar goods locomotives built well into
the inter-war period. Robert Stephenson died in 1859, aged 55, and buried
in Westminster Abbey.
Mike Walshaw gave a talk on 8/4 on the Longmoor Military Railway.
The first section was built in 1905 between Bordon and Longmoor. Known as
the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, it was operated by the Royal
Engineers providing training in railway-related work. After WW1 it was extended
from Longmoor to Liss.
In WW2 the LMR saw its busiest times, the volume of freight traffic increasingly
dramatically as did the active locomotive fleet. The LMR prepared many ‘Austerity’
steam locos for service overseas. After WW2 the work load decreased culminating
in the LMR’s closure in October 1969. A film of the closure ceremony
featured WD600 Gordon and Austerity 0-6-0ST Errol Lonsdale in action on
the special trains.
An attempt was made to preserve some of the LMR but, due to the protests
by a group of local residents, this scheme came to nothing; the lines and
most of the equipment were scrapped in 1971/2. Mike ended with a potted
history of tank transportation on the British which are still conveyed by
rail to a cross section of military destinations
Stephen Jupp’s talk on 13/5 was on his experiences as a fireman
on three Heritage railways, having worked on the Nene Valley, Ffestiniog
and Welsh Highland the latter being the subject of the lecture.
Trainee firemen have to pass no fewer than four examinations three being
on theory covering rules and regulations, the route in and mechanical knowledge
after which a practical exam is taken. He gave an overview of the duties
carried out by the fireman on a typical WHR diagram involving more than
firing the engine and includes a close co-operation with the driver in particular
with regard to signals and unguarded level crossings, when the view from
the engine is restricted, especially when running in reverse.
The WHR runs heavy trains on a steep route with sharp curves, placing an
onus on the fireman to perform his duties correctly. Mr Jupp explained that
even the short Caernarfon to Dinas section, where the engine sheds are situated,
is on a gradient and the engine must be prepared as for a normal journey
to prevent running short of steam!