25 Years of Derek Cross’s Diesels
On February 14th 36 members and guests enjoyed David Cross’s fourth visit to the branch. “25 years of Derek Cross’s diesels 1959-1984” took us from one end of England to the other and back to London, BR region by region. Derek began photographing diesels from the word go, so we saw class 40s hauling front line services on the east and west coast main lines together with D800s on the WR and Waterloo to Exeter services. These were replaced as the 1960s progressed and images of their successors at work provided an interesting contrast. We also saw various type 2 classes, either singly or in pairs, on main line and suburban services, (some comprising Gresley’s articulated coach sets). Locomotives predominated but a handful of dmus put in an appearance (as did steam traction). Freight was well represented which enabled us to see an even wider range of classes. Notwithstanding the show’s title, electric traction also featured notably class 71s on freight in Kent + hauling the Golden Arrow at Folkestone Harbour. We also saw electro diesels and class 87s on the Bournemouth and west coast lines. A total of 220 images makes it impossible to list the locations visited; many were on the main line but less frequented places such as Alston, Moor Row and Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria were included. We were also reminded that Heysham Harbour used to be a busy railway location. We are grateful to David for a first class presentation and hope he will return one day.