Steam and diesels in the Northern fells since 2017
The branch welcomed the return of Ian Pilkington who spoke about “Steam & Diesels in the Northern Fells since 2017”. A superb shot of the Sellafield nuclear flask train at Kirkby in Furness, with Coniston Old Man in the background, set the scene for a high-quality session. Pictures of Scots Guardsman leaving Appleby, a diesel…
Read More25 March 2026 Chasing Steam in Western Europe 1970-1974
Presenter: John Barrowdale John has a long history of being a train enthusiast and has a strong affinity for steam. In the 1970’s he and a some of his friends realised that steam power was not going to last much longer, so they set about visiting places where it could be found. In the 1970’s…
Read MoreThe Harwich Branch
This afternoon we visited “The Harwich Branch” with Dave Goodyear. We followed the branch along its entirety, stopping at most of the stations and halts and looking, in sequence, through the history of each one. Our first major junction was at Manningtree. From here you could catch a train to London or, via Ely, to…
Read MorePaddle Steamer Waverley, 50 years of Preservation
Thursday 12th March. Our final meeting of the session was presented by Iain Quinn from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. 22nd May 1975 heralded the gifting to the nation from Caledonian Steam Packet Company/Caledonian MacBrayne of P.S. Waverley. Notable individuals involved in the preservation of this 1947-built ship, the last ocean-going paddle steamer in the world,…
Read More1000 eggs on a bicycle – Colin Boocock
35018 Bournemouth Belle in 1956 On 24th March Colin Boocock presented his talk ‘1000 eggs on a bicycle’. This consisted of Colin’s own photographs covering every year from 1947 to the present day and encompassed not only the UK and Ireland but numerous countries around the world. A fascinating talk with some audience participation and…
Read More6 March 2026, ‘A Short AGM followed by – ‘Midland Blue – Midland Railway Lines in the 1980s’ by Stewart Jolly.
Our 6th March meeting opened with a short AGM where chairman Brian Arman reported on another successful year with interesting meetings which were well attended. During the last few weeks eight new members have joined the branch, several of whom were present tonight. The committee were re-elected and recently retired Chris Brown was added to…
Read More6 February 2026, ‘The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust, 1979 to Date’ by Mark Bladwell.
George Newnes, the publisher, had a holiday home in Lynmouth. He financed a narrow-gauge railway from Barnstaple to Lynton. The line opened in May 1898. In 1923 the line was taken over by the Southern Railway. However, the line was closed in September 1935. In 1962 the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Society was formed with…
Read More2 January 2026, ‘The Rise and Fall of Bristol Bath Road Depot’ by Roy Kethro.
For our first meeting of 2026 Roy Kethro presented, ‘The Rise and Fall of Bristol Bath Road Disel Depot’. In the nineteen thirties the GWR built the depot just west of Bristol Temple Meads. In 1960 it was decided to convert it into a diesel Depot. All remaining steam locomotives were transferred to St Philips…
Read More19 December 2025 – Christmas Buffet & Member’s Evening
For our Christmas Buffet and Members Evening, Jacky & Reg Wood provided an excellent festive spread. Brian Arman started the evening off with slides of former GW & LMS steam in the Neath & Swansea area, included trains at Neath Riverside, Swansea High Street, Victoria, and Bay Stations. The first of the digital presentations was…
Read More10th March 2026 “That Was The Year That Was – 1972” by Geoff Plumb
DB unrebuilt 01 Class 4-6-2 No 001 234-4 sits at the head of train E1790, the 20:35 semi-fast passenger from Hof to Bamberg, on a Sunday evening in April 1972. Photo: Geoff Plumb. We were delighted to welcome Geoff Plumb on March 10th to give us another of his “The Year That Was….” series of…
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