Gosling’s Gallivant

We welcomed local enthusiast Paul Gosling to our meeting on 19 April to give an illustrated account of his transport activities in 2022 using the title “Gosling’s Gallivants”. These began in January with a trip to the Isle of Wight and a visit to Haven Street where the restored Ryde Pier tram was sampled.

Covid prevented the commemoration of the 180th anniversary of Micheldever Station in 2020 but an event was held in July 2022 with a number of transport exhibits in the station yard, including a Ford model T car. July 2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the Hythe Pier Railway with a birthday weekend event being held. Another railway trip took Paul to Southend for the pier and cliff railways. The local railway scene at Eastleigh and Southampton was illustrated with photos including Class 68s on a nuclear waste train from Winfrith, intermodal services to and from Southampton Docks, Class 69s on the Mountfield - Western Docks gypsum workings, and the Network Rail New Measurement Train.

Paul’s activities in the Bournemouth area included visiting the Bournemouth & District Society of Model Engineers at their open day and observing Bournemouth air show from the SS Shieldhall. Continuing westwards, Paul illustrated a bus rally at Dorchester and a visit to the Seaton Tramway. Back at Southampton Paul witnessed the arrival of cruise liners, including the first visit of “Celebrity Beyond” to the port, and large container ship arriving.

Our thanks to Paul for sharing his memories of 2022 with us.