Memories of a Gorleston Spotter – Part 2

Memories of a Gorleston Spotter (part 2) was our subject for tonight’s meeting with presenter Chris Wright. This presentation followed from Chris’s visit to us in October last year. Tonight, Chris covered the years 1962 to 1966 and a bit beyond, starting with the fact that in December ’62 only two trains leaving Kings Cross were diesel hauled, where-as at Luton the same
month all express trains were Class 45 hauled. Chris’s record keeping was terrific noting dates, times, destinations as well as the important loco names and numbers. One fact mentioned was the cop of his first Midland Duchess, 46239 City of Chester, having travelled from his home in Gorleston via Norwich Cambridge and Hitchin to Bletchley. Hitchin was a favoured spot for him to watch trains as he spent most school holidays there staying with relatives. Another point noted was that steam virtually disappeared overnight from Kings Cross, where-as from Liverpool Street to East Anglia it took many months for the transition to full diesel haulage.
One Chris’s most treasured moments was another visit the WCML at Wolverton in 1963, when on a late afternoon he saw three Duchess loco’s all in maroon livery. We had detailed explanations of his logs for special trips he made throughout England, he also seemed to be an expert in “bunking” sheds particularly Willesden and Old Oak Common. Oxford seemed to be one of the last steam strongholds with locos from most of the companies in the south of the country. Still later in 1967 steam could be found in abundance at Eastleigh and Crewe South. A fascinating evening by a true spotter and recorder of facts.

Dave Elsdon
Branch Secretary