An English Ramble – Robin Mathams
RCTS – West Midlands Branch Meeting Report December 18th 2023 – Coventry
Having previously taken us on ‘A Scottish Ramble’ our speaker today, Robin Mathams, took us on ‘An English Ramble’. This presentation featured many different locos and locations. The emphasis on liveries was quite amazing particularly through the 1980s and 1990s. This fast moving show took us through the length and breadth of the country from Carlisle to Penzance featuring mainly modern traction familiar to many of our audience. A number of railtours were shown and included ‘The Conway Crusader’; our treasurer, Ian Reid, was a participant as it ran from Coventry. Its journey covered both main and branch lines visiting Manchester, Birkenhead Docks, Chester and North Wales - A total of over 430 miles. Locos involved included a Class 86 electric, two Class 40s and a Class 50.
Robin brought to our notice the sombre occurrence at Colwich Junction in 1986 with the head-on collision of two express trains hauled by Class 86s Nos.86429 and 86211. Remarkably there was only one fatality, the driver of No.86211 ‘City of Milton Keynes’. There were also some injuries amongst the total of 870 passengers. Local people have since created a ‘Peace Garden’ with BR’s blessing adjacent to the ‘Up’ side of the line.
A very interesting presentation. Thoroughly recommended.