The John Wells Collection – Part 1 – 1952/ 1958 – Chris Berridge / Bryan Acford

John Wells was born in 1935 and having been evacuated to Sandy, Bedfordshire, during the 2^nd World War lived there for many years. After school he worked for a large insurance company so commuted daily to London, often carrying his camera. He held a lineside permit and photographed widely on the southern section of the ECML as well as on sections of the GE, Midland & LNW mainlines which were within easy travelling distance of his home. There are also visits to locations such as Tonbridge, Basingstoke & Sonning as well as pictures taken on family holidays. The show is totally B&W and covers the period from his earliest photos until the end of 1958. It’s a reminder of the huge variety of locos, including pre-grouping varieties, which could still be seen in a day at that time by spending a day at the Lineside. John also enjoyed good relations with many local railway staff which assisted his endeavours and gave him advance notice of rare workings.