24th February 2020 · ‘The Railways of Cambridge – Part 1’
Presenters: David and Roberta Scudamore
David and Roberta Scudamore gave almost thirty Members and friends an excellent talk on “The Railways of Cambridge, Part 1”, at Weston Favell on 21st February. I was not overly familiar with the subject, but after seeing the selection of slides covering all aspects of the life of a Cambridge area “watcher”, I now have a better understanding of life on and around the platforms of Cambridge over the years up to date.
By the time the major development had finished, there were 8 lines coming into Cambridge; there are now 4 lines plus a busway running largely, if not totally successfully, over an old line. Views of the attractive Great Eastern Railway station frontage show that a little of its’ grandeur may have been spoiled by nearby developments over the years, whilst still putting on a face.
The various sites and enlargements of the locomotive depots was covered, along with snippets such as the first revenue-earning outing of an A4 (2509) leaving on its’ return to Kings Cross on 14th September 1935. Bletchley engines were regular visitors down the years, and a shot of Stanier Class 5 45393 of Bletchley was a match for an earlier dated shot of old LNWR number 1680 “LOYALTY” This “George the Fifth” became 5393 under LMSR renumbering, and later, due to its’ survival until May 1941, was further renumbered 25393. I bet the prefixes 2 and 4 went unused, and the coincidence went un-noticed by enginemen and enthusiasts of the time.
The usual standard LNER engines were shown as well as later BR types, and it would be fair to say that there were few classes that failed to reach Cambridge. David had been keen to meet a “Duchess” at Cambridge, and his wish was eventually granted when 46229 arrived in privatised days.
The freight workings described were much more than many of us appreciated, and the respective allocations during 1923, 1947 and 1954, of 178, 124 and 74 had a tale to tell. We look forward to Part 2 and onwards.