1966 Farewell to Steam – Journeys around England, Wales and Scotland
The branch welcomed back Mike Beale Mike went through the calendar of the year 1966
January, the Somerset and Dorset line which, ended on the 1st January, although an emergency passenger service operated for a further two months. Some rail tours (including a RCTS tour did operate after the closure as well as coal freight from the two mines at Radstock. Then he was off on a rail tour of northwest England, starting at Crewe at 2.00am on a Sunday morning that took in Carlisle before overnighting in Liverpool. The Sunday managed to take in Edgehill, Aintree, and Speke Junction sheds before arriving back in Bristol via Crewe very tired late afternoon on the Sunday.
February it was off to Scotland, taking an overnight train from Bristol to Edinburgh arriving at 06.00. Taking in the Fife area, Dunfermline, Perth and Dundee. Due to the snowy conditions, it was an overnight train back to Bristol Temple Meads which, due to the early hour, then involved a walk back to home.
March was again the very end of the Somerset and Dorset. The emergency service mentioned earlier ended on 5th/6th March. Mike mentioned that he took one of the last trips back to Bath Green only to find the station locked up due to the train running somewhat late and they had to walk back to the shed to exit the railway.
April it was Scotland again having persuaded his parents to holiday in Edinburgh. This visit took in Edinburgh Waverley, Stirling, Dundee (including Thornton Junction shed), Aberdeen and Glasgow. Three A4’s were seen on shed at Glasgow. The suburban services out of Glasgow were still operated by steam.
May was the dreaded exams.
June was a day trip to Woodhams scrapyard in South Wales. A lot of loco’s seen are now part of the various heritage fleets. A big thank you to Dai Woodhams for taking the commercial opportunity in cutting up the steel coal wagons before starting on the locos.
July and Mike was in the Stockport area where he had relatives. Some time was spent at Attwood Yard and at Heaton Mersey shed which had some steam locos. Also included in his time at Stockport were visits to Newton Heath, East of Manchester, Crewe, Shrewsbury and Crewe South shed. At Leyland south of Preston where he observed summer trains to Blackpool.
August was yet again Scotland, covering much the same area as earlier in the year, but Mike noted how things were changing from his visit in January. In particular not a lot of steam in the Glasgow area.
September it was the Cambrian coast, based in Barmouth which saw the last day of summer services and the last of the through steam services. In particular were the freight services passing Towyn and the school services to Harlech. Narrow gauge was mentioned. The Vale of Rheidol, which was still owned by BR at this time, the Taly-Lyn and the Ffestiniog at Porth Madoc
October was local, Bath Road open days.
December it was university interview time at Newcastle, but it did allow visits to Blyth. Blyth had two sheds North and South Blyth. North Blyth shed was largely used for storing loco’s
Steam did continue until mid-1967 on the Waterloo – Weymouth route until it was electrified.
A fascinating personal view of 1966, well-illustrated with photographs, mainly taken by the presenter himself, which 76 participants thoroughly enjoyed. A great presentation which evoked many memories in the audience. Thank you, Mike.