23 November 2020 · That Was The Year that Was · 1966

Presenter: Geoff Plumb

No fewer than 82 people signed in on Zoom to join our November virtual meeting, including one from Canada! They were rewarded with a wide-ranging collection of images from the skilled camera of Geoff Plumb, who took as his topic for the evening “That Was the Year That Was · 1966”. What a year indeed, with plenty of steam still be seen, mainly on the Southern Region route to Bournemouth and Weymouth, and the north-west of the country around Manchester and Liverpool.

And these were the days, don’t forget, when the RCTS could organize special trains, not only visiting lines which were closed to passengers, or about to be, but also with steam haulage of choice. Add to that Geoff’s membership of working parties at the Festiniog Railway, family holidays in North Wales, and you have the ideal setting for his expert photographic skills.

We were treated to a wonderful variety of scenes and occasions, among the most notable of which were the dying days of the Somerset and Dorset; an RCTS special to the Longmoor Military Railway, so popular it had to be run twice; remnants of the Great Central; North Wales narrow gauge early in preservation; shed visits ranging from Nine Elms to Skipton, with enthusiasts enjoying the pre-Health and Safety regime; and steam over Shap.

There truly was something for everyone here, whether you remember those days (I do!) or not. Thanks Geoff, that was brilliant.

Report by: Jim Tucker