3 February 2023 ‘Steam and Semaphores to Penzance’ by Nick Dudman.

Maurice Dunman’s excellent slides, presented by his son Nick.
68 members were present.
Nick began the talk by telling us how his father started between 1958 and 1965 The photos largely concentrate on Bristol. Whilst most of the slides were from his fathers collection, some additional slides were from Peter Fray.
The slides begin with the Bristolian, which had been changed to diesel haulage, the first few slides focussed on Paddington platform one, with a great selection of Castles. The train headed out of London, travelling through, Twyford and Swindon, then onto Patchway, Pilning, and the Severn Tunnel. We were able to see several Prairies which were used as the Severn Tunnel Bankers.
King George V and City of Truro were spotted running into Bristol through Ashley Hill, we moved on to Barrow road where we were able to see Jubilees and Black fives, as well as some 4Fs and 9Fs. Part one ended with a few slides S&D at Midford, returning to Temple meads via Keynsham and St Annes Park.
Part two started with 7008 Swansea Castle ex works on a Swindon to Bristol City excursion, City won 5 – 3, shots of Portishead phosphorus trains hauled by a 9F and ex GW 28xx, and Clifton Bridge to the Carriage Sidings being rebuilt with temporary speed restrictions saw an 8F on the Engineering train
The next slides took us around the (which) Docks, where saw some paddle steamers, freight cargo, and maybe a Russian spy ship, we then returned to railways, ending at Weston Super Mare, with a shot of Flying Scotsman in LNER Livery
The audience thanked Nick for his wonderful evening with a rousing round of applause and we’re all looking forward to Part 2 next year.