WFD Branch Zoom Meeting, ‘The Ramblings of a Railwayman’, by Geoff Burch, 6th January 2026
06-Jan-2026 @ 18:30 - 21:30
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‘The Ramblings of a Railwayman’, an Illustrated Talk by Geoff Burch.
During ‘The Ramblings of a Railwayman’ Geoff initially talks about his first interest in railways as a train spotter at various locations including London Motive Power Depots.
Following his first visit to a footplate of a steam locomotive and having spoken to the crew, he knew then that he wanted to become one of these enginemen!
In April 1961, as a 15-year-old straight from school, he started his career as an engine cleaner, working in the boilersmith’s shop and eventually became a top-link fireman based at Guildford Motive Power Depot.
This gave him a privileged opportunity to work with a diverse group of drivers and steam locomotives ranging from Drummond M7 tanks to Bulleid Pacifics until the final day of steam on the Southern Region when he was fortunate to be a fireman on one of last steam locomotives to leave the depot on Sunday 9th July 1967.
Please note this is a Virtual Zoom Meeting. There is no charge for this meeting, but you will need to register with Zoom – the link is given below – and donations will be gratefully received. These can be made by clicking on the ‘organiser’ given below and are in units of £2.00 – you can donate as many units as you like!
You will be able to join the meeting from 18:30, with the presentation starting at 19:00.