“From the Back of the Cupboard”

Presenter: Steve Batty

Steve Batty, a prolific photographic contributor to the pages of “The Railway Observer” was the presenter of the March indoor meeting, who narrated his show of top quality monochrome images after delving into “The Back of His Cupboard”.  This unearthed multitude of varied steam based action shots centred around early days main line activities which went on to feature Southern and Great Western motive power, in conjunction with the popular LMS, LNER and British Rail machinery.  Rarities such as “Lord Nelson”, “Sir Lamiel”, the Midland compound and the S & D 2-8-0 (53809) through Baghill were captured in full steam.  Outings to preserved railways unveiled impressive action scenes on the North Yorkshire Moors and Worth Valley Railways when rarefied locomotives were scheduled to appear.

The phase two of the presentation illustrated steam activities from abroad which initially centred upon the Middle East countries of Jordan and Syria.  Scenes taken in Damascus and the Amman Metre gauge railway were displayed.  In broadening the overseas element attention was also accorded to tours of Botswana and South Africa where the Garratts were the chief focal point.

Closer to home modern day activities were not to be ignored which nicely covered varied action in East Yorkshire, to be followed by a cluster of pictures taken at the threatened collieries in the Yorkshire and East Midlands coalfields.  Railway scenes around the adjacent power stations of Cottam, Drax and West Burton suitably enhanced the industrial scene.

This very broad-based presentation finally concluded with several small groupings of photographs that homed in on the Settle & Carlisle route (inclusive of main line diversions), Pennine traffic on the London & North Western through Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, Teeside, Leeds and the plant at Doncaster.

Thanks to Steve for an excellent and in depth evening of entertainment.