15 in 15

Our December meeting consisted of members’ slides and digital images with contributions from 10 members. The evening began with Philip Haines showing videos taken on the branch observation evening at Eastleigh on 21 June 2023 and the branch visit to Fawley Hill in August 2023. The contribution from John Goodrich illustrated a variety Southern Electrics in the period 1965 to 2011, including a rare shot of the motor coach end of a 3-REP unit rather than the Class 73 at the London end of the unit. John was followed by Martin Hubbard with steam photos in the London area taken between 1961 and 1967 before taking us to the Isle of Man and returning to Euston where 58007 was noted at the buffer stops in 1989.

Ian Knight illustrated interesting workings in Southampton and its suburbs seen in 2023, including the delivery of a Class 701 unit, a Class 458/4 being returned to Bournemouth from Widnes topped and tailed by Class 50s, and special trains hauled by steam and diesel traction. He was followed by Eric Nicholass with photos of some London Underground stations, the Staines West branch, early days on the Watercress Line, a Class 45 at Exeter on a ballast working, and a trip to Austria. Dave Doulton’s presentation was an illustration of preserved diesel locomotives ranging from Class 14 on the West Somerset Railway to a Deltic Class 55 on the Bo’ness Railway.

David Mould illustrated visits to three railways in three days. The railways in question were the Dart Valley Railway, the Dartmoor Railway at Okehampton where D4167 was noted with a 4-CEP motor coach and the South Devon Railway.  David Mead illustrated a trip to North West Germany with the Wuppertal monorail, and what is now classic traction with classes 215, 216, 110, and 181 locomotives.. Mark Greening’s contribution centred on his local line between Romsey and Eastleigh with local services handled by Class 170s in 2005, diverted Cardiff - Portsmouth services, a Freightliner Class 70, and a Class 37 in 1992 on the now ceased Fawley - Tavistock Junction tanks. John Godfrey concluded the evening with UK scenes at Carlisle, Hexham, and a Class 73 + 5TCB working at Bournemouth and overseas visits to Czechia and Portugal.

We thank all those who contributed photos to an interesting and varied evening, and Irina for providing the seasonal fare.