Posts by SRY Surrey
17 April 2025 – Colonel Stephens and the Economical Railway by Chris Jackson, Colonel Stephens Society and honorary editor of The Colonel
Many have heard of Colonel Stephens but not many know exactly how much work he did on railways. Our speaker Chris began with an outline of what would be covered…
Read More20 March 2025 – The Rail Industry and Political Intervention 1923 – 1973 by Stewart Palmer – former MD of South West Trains
Stewart started by emphasising that these were his personal thoughts and no-one else’s. Why 1923 to 1973? The creation of the Big Four grouping in 1923 was a pivotal moment…
Read More20 February 2025 – Railway Scenes in Germany – Berlin Brandenburg by Steve Ollive
Steve very kindly stepped in when our advertised speaker from SWR had to pull out and a replacement from the company was not available at such short notice. A regular…
Read More16 January 2025 – Electrification for Freight by Julian Worth, Chair CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport), Railfreight Forum
Julian introduced himself – he has 45 years experience on the railway most of it working in the freight sector except for 2 months of clerical work dealing with passengers. …
Read More19 December 2024 – The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) by Leslie McAllister
The evening began with the Branch AGM with business being conducted quickly and efficiently, all members of the committee willing to stand again and being re-elected accordingly. The committee seeks…
Read More21 November 2024 – Railway Bridge Disasters and Mishaps by Alan Hayward, Civil Engineer
Alan is a well qualified practicing civil engineer and we were delighted to welcome him for a full length presentation at the Branch having been impressed with a short impromptu…
Read More17 October 2024 – The Canadian Pacific Project by Rebecca Dalley, CEO, the Watercress Line
Rebecca introduced herself with a brief outline of her career to date as she is very new to railways. She started working with industrial heritage and was at the Science…
Read More19 September 2024 – Railwayman – Man and Boy (A Southern Engineman’s Memories) by Jim Lester
Jim was born in Chertsey in 1942 within the Surrey Branch area, and has always been very interested in railways, from trainspotting in his early days particularly covering Weybridge, Guildford…
Read More6 May 2024 – Reminiscences and Thoughts of a Retired Railwayman by John Noorani
The meeting started with a minute’s silence in memory of our Fixtures Officer Tom, who sadly died on 23 April 2024. Our original speaker withdrew at short notice –as an…
Read More18 April 2024 – An overview of the RAIB by Nick Bucknall – Inspector of Rail Accidents
Nick introduced himself and began by saying that the presentation would be in three parts each allowing for questions and answers, before moving on to the next part. Part…
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