8th March 2022 “Cambridge Area Railways Yesterday and Today (Part 1)” by David Scudamore

On 19th October 1991, West Country Pacific No. 34027 'Taw Valley' and BR Standard Class 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' stand in Cambridge Coalfields Yard. Photo Copyright David Scudamore.
On 19th October 1991, West Country Pacific No. 34027 'Taw Valley' and BR Standard Class 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' stand in Cambridge Coalfields Yard. Photo Copyright David Scudamore.

A record attendance of 30 members and visitors was recorded for our March meeting, given by local photographer David Scudamore.

We began with the Illustrated London News of 2nd August 1845 showing the ‘Opening Train’ from Bishopsgate station to Cambridge and then saw David’s personal connection with the city through his grandfather’s ‘Scudamore’s Punts’ business. The eight routes to Cambridge were described (including the hump yard opposite the station) before we were treated to some delightful views of the station buildings, including early 1900s views of horse-drawn carriages.

Views on the station then followed, including the first revenue-earning run of a Gresley A4 – No. 2509 on the 11.40 Cambridge to Kings Cross on 14th September 1935, Black 5 45393 on a Bletchley service, B17 No. 61663 ‘Everton’ on the 5.17 to Sudbury in May 1959 (including a new Swindon-built Class 03 shunter) and more recently 47100 on the last Cambridge Buffet Express and through working to Kings Cross (for 20 years), the 17.20 from Cambridge on 5th February 1978. A new era was then introduced with 86401 ‘Northampton Town’ on the inaugural Cambridge to Liverpool Street electric working on 23rd March 1987. Bringing us right up to date was a January 2020 view of a Hull Trains Class 802 during East Coast diversions.

Some excellent video footage of movements on and off the shed was then shown, including B17 No. 61625 ‘Raby Castle’, BR Standard Class 4 No. 75038, 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ on the turn table and a green liveried, early bodied Brush Type 2 heading from Whitemoor to Temple Mills. It was fascinating to see the human side of railway operations in these movies, and just how many people and how much work was required to keep the railway working. Several scenes at the coal hoist were shown, including its demolition in November 1964.

After a short break we looked at the LNWR engine shed to the South-West of Hills Road and then Great Northern Railway 2-4-0 No. 708 outside the Great Eastern goods shed. Horse shunting was in use in Cambridge yard in the 1950s, illustrated by ‘Boxer’ and his driver Sidney Plumb in January 1957. Views of the signal box in the centre of the platform were then seen, along with Holden E4 No. 62788 on Station Pilot duties. The original formation of the Newmarket line was shown, leaving part way along the platform and crossing every line to head East. In the North bays we saw the Midland’s presence on Kettering services in the form of Kirtley 890 Class 2-4-0 No. 20092 and Johnson 2F No. 3127.

Many more wonderful views followed, showing the sheer diversity of engines and traffic in the Cambridge area, much of it arriving on workings to and from Whitemoor and travelling down to Cambridge between duties. We concluded the evening with Claud Hamilton 8868 heading up the St Ives line at Chesterton Junction, followed by various views of the line up to Ely and B1 No. 61306 ‘Mayflower’ working ‘The Easterling’ past Ely Cathedral in March 2015.

A splendid evening was had by all, with a wonderfully rich and detailed illustration of the sheer diversity of traffic and traction in the Cambridge area. The meeting closed at 10.00 with a resounding show of appreciation to David.