“A Colour Rail Journey”

Presenter: Paul Chancellor

The monthly meeting for June was presented by Paul Chancellor of Colour Rail who, from his vast collection of photographs, composed a most interesting rendition describing a country-wide railway scene in the transitional years from steam to early modern-day traction.

Beginning with action from the Western Region the diesel hydraulic Warships and Westerns in Cornwall were seen intermingled with a pair of tank engines (on tour) whilst Hymeks were also to be seen in the more northerly areas of the country.  Steam interests were to be further experienced in the coalfields of South Wales and around both Reading and Oxford.

From the areas of the Southern Region the ubiquitous slam door EMU’s were well to the fore along with ex-LUL stock on the Isle of Wight and that of the famous Brighton Belle.  Dying steam day action was to be seen at Eastleigh, Nine Elms and Tonbridge.

Moving northwards, Midland Region activity featured early day main line West Coast electrics at Manchester Piccadilly, Crewe, Stockport and on shed at Longsite, together with a wide range of their regional EMU’s at Oxford Road.  In and amongst, vintage diesel 10001 was pictured at Warrington.  Cross Pennine interests featured both the freight and passenger types of the Woodhead DC electric locomotives.

From the Eastern Region visits to Doncaster, Skegness and Peterborough described plenty of action relating to the early days of the ECML diesels.  This was then broadened to encompass movements across much of East Anglia with showings of their various regional EMU’s.

The dying days of steam in the North captured steam engines on the sheds at Holbeck, Copley Hill and York.

Photographs from Scotland described the region’s popular Class 26/27 diesels together with their specific DMU’s all to be seen at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.  Steam activities featured Pacifics on the main line at Queen Street and Waverley in addition to 0-6-0’s on their daily freight rota duties.

Finally in bringing this excellent show to a conclusion pictures were shown of steam activities at heritage railways taken on visits to several preserved lines around the country.