Cambridge Area Railways – Yesterday & Today (Part 1)

Our presentation tonight was by Dave Scudamore. Not only was it fascinating but parts of it turned out to be a real history lesson.

In the early 1900’s Cambridge was home to three sheds and two turntables and was a significant railway town, being fed by both the GE and the GN. In 1923 no less than 178 loco’s were based here. A significant station building divided into two parts for each of the railway companies.

The GE dominated from the start with a long platform, enough for two lengthy trains, with a scissors crossing half way down allowing flexibility of movements, which is still the same today, although today there is another island platform and two new terminus platforms for the GN, longer than the original ones. Cambridge had lines coming in from Peterborough, Ely & Kings Lynn, from Oxford via Bedford & Bletchley, Ipswich & Norwich and a few others although sightly trimmed down today it still remains an important hub. A service started in 1932 “The Cambridge Buffet Express” a very popular train for commuters ran until February 1978. A favourite place also was Cambridge for running turns for A3’s and A4’s although occasionally they worked services to Cambridge from Kings Cross also. Britannia loco’s were also a GE feature with express trains from Liverpool Street into East Anglia. We saw several unusual visitors on specials and diversions possibly the most unusual were four GWR County class, unfortunately these were being towed for scrapping in Norwich.

A great evening, to an appreciative audience.

Dave Elsdon
Branch Secretary