A Ninth Colour-Rail Journey

Presenter: Paul Chancellor

Meeting Held at Shenfield Parish Hall

Paul provided us with a wonderful show of photographs in an interactive way, taxing our memories by quizzing us about the whereabouts of some of the shots. Those present joined-in and demonstrated a great knowledge of the subject to locate even some of the more obscure locations. This way of delivery is enjoyable. Paul told us that the collection of images has now reached 132 000. The wealth of the collection is truly amazing. Furthermore it is reassuring that so many images are preserved and gratifying that they can be made available to us at a click of our computer button. The range too is wonderful – from some very early shots taken by plate camera in halcyon days, but coming up to the present with modern traction and rolling-stock. Paul kicked-off the presentation with an alphabetical collection of named trains; then a similar review of Pullman trains. After the break we moved onto secondary routes, featuring the Cardiff - Portsmouth route and finishing with branch-lines, including the Hemyock line. It was a little unfortunate that our numbers were down, due no doubt to the impending industrial action, which can sometimes affect services before the actual strike day.