‘Members’ Presentations’, 3rd December 2024
3rd December 2024 Meeting.
The last meeting of the year involves our ‘Mistress of the Urn’ Lizzie cooking sausage rolls and mince pies between members’ presentations. We kicked off with Geoff Brockett who showed a Class 37 at Lea Junction, ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ at Southall, 230 001 on test at West Ealing, a c2c 720 at Shadwell, also ‘Royal Scot’ among his trips around London and the Southeast this year.
Next up was Bernie Holland who showed much older slides with the Hymek Farewell Tour at Shrub Hill, 33113 at Abingdon, Deltics were seen with one at Sydney Gardens, Bath, a Western at Euston and 5032 at Olympia being the highlights.
After the break John Tigg showed us the new facilities at the VoR HQ and new museum at Aberystwyth and along the line with a very rainy day at the Bala Lake Railway Gala.
Next up was our youngest Branch member, Harry Nethercoat, who had a summer holiday in France, and we saw Chamonix Station and the rack railway there with views of the ascent and summit and the two plinthed steam locos Nos. 7 & 8.
William Shelford visited the Colorado Railway Museum in 1998 along with the Georgetown Loop Railway, the Cripple Creek and Victor NGR. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, then onto the Durango & Silverton, Granby on the Main Line and finally a Big Boy at Cheyenne, all featured a wide variety of locos.
Earlier this year he went to the LBNGR where we saw 'Chaloner' after its long overhaul, the K&ESR and finally David Buck’s Railway at Fifield, where he owned several locos including a Finnish Pacific No. 1016.
The attendance was 28 which was the best of the year, obviously Lizzie lured them in!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rob Davidson, Branch Secretary