30th May 2019 · “Along the Trackside”

Presenter: Steve Batty

At the end of May the second of the season’s afternoon meetings was a presentation by well-known photographer Steve Batty who was making a very welcome return to Saltaire. On this occasion his photographs comprised of illustrations mostly taken within the last couple of years. This very well constructed programme initially covered action around the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Freight activities were well illustrated as visitations to Horbury, Stainforth, Barnetby, Brocklesby and beyond displayed the varied freight movements that are to be seen in these localities, along with the associated full array of modern day diesel motive power. Passenger duties were also on show and main line operations, chiefly along the ECML south of York, brought images of the line’s locomotives whilst the up and coming Azumas on test running provided an added bonus. Rail tour interludes employing both steam and/or interesting diesel motive power enhanced the variation of the presentation, as did illustrations showing locomotive power seen in deepest Lincolnshire inclusive of ECML diversions where drags were to be observed. In further widening the scope and area of the material trips to the Settle & Carlisle and the Forth Bridge provided a number of very photogenic pictures, whilst coverage of the NYMR ensured that steam power was not to be ignored. In conclusion glimpses of German narrow gauge steam in the proximity of Dresden, together with scenes from the last summer of Great Western HST’s, plus material taken at last year’s Society Members’ Weekend, based at Swanage, suitably concluded an afternoon show of superb photography.