“Along the Trackside”

Presenter: Steve Batty

The October Branch meeting welcomed Steve Batty to Saltaire who had once again delved into the back of his cupboard in order to put on show a most excellent and varied collection of photographs set chiefly in the North of England.  Alternating between both colour and monochrome modern-day freight and passenger action was superbly illustrated across the West Riding including scenes from the Worth Valley Railway.  The presentation then extended to the showing of memorable scenes taken at several West Yorkshire and East Midland Collieries displaying steam and diesel haulage in latter coal mining day workings.  Main line pictures taken around and across the Pennines told of varied traffic across the L&Y and LNW Railways, inclusive of a Deltic on a York-Liverpool express whilst the ubiquitous regional DMU’s were not to be forgotten.

Much was also to be seen of the lines south of York both in pre-Selby diversion and pre-electrification days when HST’s were the principal passenger mode of motive power.  West Coast diversion days over the Settle& Carlisle featuring Class 57 locomotives hauling Pendolinos generated additional interest along with a number of steam hauled specials that were (and still are) often seen on the line.  The Pennine Electrics (Class 76) on the Woodhead route greatly varied, enhanced and broadened the interest.

Visits to Toton and Crewe depots and Doncaster works plus several more main line steam outings brought this most excellent top quality and varied photographic presentation to a fitting conclusion which was greatly enjoyed by all.