5 January 2024 ‘Hugh Ballantyne’s Somerset & Dorset Railway’ Presented by Richard Pelham

The Bristol Branch Meeting on the 5th January 2024 at St Teresas Church Hall over 50 members and guests watched a slide show of the late Hugh Ballantyne presented by Richard Pellham.  The Tour started at Warmley station then a shed bash featuring 9F 92220 and 2P 40700, also on Bath Shed were a Mogul and a Hall, which had come in on specials, and at Bath Junction we saw a Black 5.

In 1961 Hugh had changed from black and white to colour, there were shots of Devonshire Tunnel, Midford, Masbury Summit, Shepton Mallet, and Temple Combe.  On reaching Evercreech Junction we travelled the branch through Glastonbury and Street, then on to Highbridge.  Resuming on the Main Line Hugh had found some clean locos, these were so different to what were put on most service. The tour went through Henstridge, Sturminster, Newton, Blandford, and then Broadstone.

We finished back at Bath Shed where we saw Harold Morris the Shed Master, and Hugh had filmed several specials from the RCTS and LCGB.

This was a very enjoyable slide show, and we all showed our gratitude to Richard with a rousing round of applause