Highlights of the 1980’s

The March meeting of the Solent Branch was a presentation by member Mark Greening on the 1980s in the south of England. We began by looking at new stock introduced in that decade such as the 442s, and the 155s which were introduced on Portsmouth - Cardiff services before being hastily withdrawn over safety issues and replaced by 156s. Steam was seen on the mainline as well as newly restored locomotives on preserved lines.

The freight scene was illustrated with many flows that no longer exists such as domestic and power station coal, and the Speedlink services from Severn Tunnel Junction which brought Class 45s to Eastleigh. Elsewhere on the BR network first generation dmus were still plying their trade, freight sector locomotives could be found on summer Saturday Cross Country trains, and there were open days and events to attend such as Winchfield 150 and the GWR 150 celebrations at Reading.

Mark was thanked for his presentation which made us realise how much has changed and emphasised that today’s mundane scenes should be photographed as they will be tomorrow’s nostalgia.