4 November 2022 ‘That Was The Year That Was 1963’ By Geoff Plumb

Geoff opened the presentation by showing black & white photos of trains, steam & DMU at various locations north of London followed by shots of Great Western & Standard Class locos as well as the ‘Bristol Pullman’. We progressed next to Severn Tunnel Junction showing more GW locos. Then we saw several railtours, some by the RCTS. The first one was a trip to the Cambrian Line with Flying Scotsman from Paddington, with two Manors taking over from Shrewsbury.

Several shots were taken at Bushy (WCML) and Hadley Wood (ECML) of LMS, LNER and Standard Class locos. We were taken then to Swindon with shots of gleaming GW engines just out of shop as well as some grimy examples awaiting their turn.

While on holiday in North Wales there were photos taken on the Llanfair and Welshpool Railway and Snowden Mountain Railway. We progressed to the Isle of Man showing photos of the horse drawn tram, The Isle of Man Steam Railway, The Manx Electric Railway and The Snaefell Mountain Railway.  Back on the mainland The Ffestiniog Railway, The Fairbourne Railway, The Talyllyn Railway, and the Vale of Rheidol Railway were visited.

Another Railtour that Geoff filmed was from London to Crewe and Horwich works where there was a variety of steam locos at both venues.  Geoff then showed a dozen or so industrial locos (Peckett and fireless locos) at various sites by the Thames East of London.

We ended with another visit to Swindon showing various locos outshopped as well as a Standard Class 3 tank engine. There was also a couple of withdrawn Kings with nameplates and numbers removed, one of them was thought to be King John.

The presentation was very good with a great variety of photographs, enjoyed by the audience of 42 who look forward to seeing Geoff’s work from 1964.