That Was The Year That Was – 1972

This afternoon we welcomed back Geoff Plumb, with his presentation “That was the year that was 1972”. After a few opening photographs taken  in Germany and here at home, with shots of both steam and diesel in the Bristol area and the south west, we then travelled to South Africa for the main part of the presentation.

This is a country, presenters rarely seem to visit, but Geoff made the most of the stunning scenery, big skies and loads of smoke and steam. Starting with his arrival in Johannesberg with a picture from the 747 he flew in from London and once on the ground we were quickly taken to the railway. In 1972, South Africa railways were still primarily operating with  powerful steam engines (many being Garrats) to work heavy freight trains in the coal and gold mining areas. We saw several of these trains working very hard climbing gradients, probably steeper and longer than anything we have here. There were many powerful engines also on passenger duties. Several sequencies shown, were when Geoff was actually chasing these trains by car along their route, several were condensing locomotives which on the inclines or departing from station or signal stops produced some spectacular smoke and steam effects. It was also interesting that some places visited had very English names whilst others were very native sounding.

We finished back in Germany at  Emden on a Sunday, which had a large shed, a turntable, and a huge variety of loco’s, just waiting to be photographed.

A great afternoon from a photographic genius.

Dave Elsdon

Branch Secretary