Class 50’s in Cornwall

Presenter: David Keogh

David had been brought up in Cornwall and was the founder of the Fifty Fund, who now own six class 50s mostly based at the Severn Valley Railway.  David took up photographing his favourite locos, in his favourite County, as a distraction from constantly travelling behind them.   His timing proved to be fortuitous; within a few years their work in the Duchy abruptly ended, as the railway prepared for privatisation.

David took us on a fascinating trip westwards through Cornwall, both down the main line from the Saltash Bridge to Penzance and also along the Newquay and Fowey branches, using a wide of images that he has taken, mostly in the mid-1980s.      We saw a variety of passenger and freight services, in many different liveries and locations.   Dedication required that some photographic spots had to be reached by lengthy walks through fields and over hills but the results were worthwhile.     The images included several double headed services, almost all of which were eastbound!!

An enjoyable evening for the attendees from both Thames Valley and other branches and visitors.  David now lives locally to the Branch and we look forward to welcoming him back soon.