Members’ Weekend 2024 Report
The 2024 Members’ Weekend and Officers’ Conference
The Royal Maritime Hotel – Portsmouth
Friday to Sunday 27th – 29thSeptember 2024
The annual Members’ Weekend and Officers’ Conference was based at the Royal Maritime Hotel in Portsmouth, situated close to Portsmouth Harbour station and several major tourist attractions, including the Historic Dockyard. The hotel provided excellent facilities, meals and accommodation, an ideal venue for the Society event. Several members extended their stay enjoying the many attractions the area has to offer.
A full programme of events were organised throughout the weekend a summary of which follows.
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Travel to the Pumping Station was by No. 25 bus which, for most of us, was free by virtue of our bus pass! This turned out to be a very good choice as we all enjoyed the tour through Portsmouth and Southsea. Reaching the site of the Engine Houses we were met by our guide who first told us the history of the system.
Portsmouth is a low-lying city with some parts actually below sea level. In the early 19th Century that led to unsanitary and unsavoury conditions! An initial system was introduced in the 1850’s which relied on collecting the sewage in tanks and then releasing it into the fast-flowing ebb tide generated by the emptying of the nearby Langstone harbour.
However, the rapid growth of Portsmouth and Southsea soon exceeded the capacity of that system, so it was decided that pumping the sewage in to the sea was necessary. Accordingly, two Boulton & Watt beam engines were acquired and these were installed in a purpose-built building on the current site at Eastney and commissioned in 1874. By the turn of the century further expansion of Portsmouth meant that an even more powerful system was required and so in 1904 three pumping sets, each consisting of a Tangye 24-inch centrifugal pump powered by a Crossley Y2 double ended diesel engine were installed. In 1971 the Crossley’s were decommissioned and converted to run on Natural Gas. At that point they were transferred to Museum service.
The Boulton & Watt beam engines were kept in running order until 1954 to provide back up in case of need. They were then transferred to Museum Service. In 2006 Southern Water commenced the build of a new wastewater disposal scheme which was commissioned in 2010.
Our tour of the Museum started with the boiler room, followed by the Boulton & Watt engines and then on to the Gas Engine House. In each case, after a brief introduction we could each explore independently. It was a very informative, relaxed and vastly interesting visit.
On leaving the Eastney Pumping Station we travelled on foot and by bus to Portsmouth & Southsea station where our guide Roger Sandford, pointed out the changes that have happened in and around the station. This included the re-siting and down-sizing of the Ticket Office as well as re-modelling of the yard area following loss of the GPO mail traffic. As we left the station Roger pointed out the route of a now non-existent line that led directly into the Royal Navy Dockyard. We were able to walk to the original railway entrance to the docks and view the site of the platform where sailors had arrived or left by train in years gone by!
Finally, we set off into the quieter streets of Portsmouth to view the location of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s birthplace before walking back to the Group’s Hotel viewing memorials to IKB on the way. All in all, a very informative afternoon!
Reporters Ian McKey & Ron Ramsden
Some 40 members and friends gathered to hear two Chichester branch members recount days gone by.
First up was Geoff May with a presentation entitled “To the South Country – A Personal Journey”. Geoff was originally from Wembley in NW London before moving south via Hampshire and finally to West Sussex where he joined the Chichester Branch. Geoff based his presentation on the theme “Trains He Knew Well” during his life’s journey from London to the South Coast. The presentation started with pictures taken at or near Wembley Park Station all within a mile of his parents’ home. At this location we saw pictures of the Metropolitan Line ‘A60’ stock destined to have a 50 year working life and also an ex GWR pannier tank hauling the daily rubbish train from Neasden depot to Watford Tip, a duty that remained steam-hauled until June 1971. A prominent poster featuring Moore, Hurst, Peters et al. displayed on Wembley Park Station reminded the audience of perhaps the most famous day in Wembley Stadium’s history viz. Saturday 30th July 1966.
Most RCTS members have a ‘trainspotting past’ and Geoff showed the audience a picture of his own favourite spotting location at the Iron Bridge spanning the WCML just south of Wembley Central and enhanced by the passage of ‘Princess Royal’ Class 46201 on a charter train in 2003.
Continuing on the theme of trains he knew well, Geoff showed us pictures of London Transport’s 1938 tube stock that enjoyed a remarkable renaissance on the Northern Line some fifty years after they were first introduced. Quite appropriate for the Members Weekend that visited the IOW, Geoff ended with a picture of the stock, now classified as TOPS Class 483, at Ryde St John Road before final withdrawal in January 2021 after over 80 years of service on the network.
The Class 442 ‘Wessex Electrics’ and the Class 33 diesel electric locos featured as well in the trains that Geoff knew well. Several locations in Hampshire and Sussex were featured including the Redbridge Causeway on the SWML near Southampton, Portsmouth & Southsea High Level and the iconic Ouse Valley Viaduct on the Brighton mainline constructed with no fewer than 11 million bricks. A class 33 diesel was shown at Fareham crossing the junction with the remains of the Gosport branch. Geoff commented that closure of the branch to passengers in June 1953 left Gosport (that featured in the Members Weekend with a visit to the Submarine Museum) with the unenviable reputation at the time of being the largest town in the country without a railway station.
Geoff ended his presentation with three images featuring unfortunate (or even worse) incidents on the Southern Region. They were
- 34066 at Waterloo (loco was involved in Lewisham disaster of December 1957)
- 76008 on an Eastleigh bound freight at Tunnel Junction Salisbury. (location of collision in December 2021 involving trains from the Romsey and Andover direction)
- 34102/34057 crossing Richmond Bridge with the ‘Bridport Belle’ in January 1967. (a dead body was discovered in a toilet that had been there since the previous day).
Geoff presented these to the audience as a quiz and was surprised that no one was able to answer question 3!
A very informative and entertaining presentation from Geoff, which I am sure brought back a lot of memories for a lot of the audience.
The second presentation was from Alan Wallbank who started out in 1962 as an engine cleaner, fireman and second man at Eastleigh, before taking up a driving position at Fratton in 1982 and retiring in 2008. His railway experience was much in evidence with his presentation of ‘A never ending love affair’ a film about the history of the line between Havant and Hayling Island. Alan began filming in 2000 and would soon have a reputation as a very good film maker, but had one self-imposed rule ‘not to make train films’. That changed when Havant’s ‘Spring’ Arts and Heritage Centre asked him to make a film about the Hayling Billy to celebrate 50 years of its closure in 2013. A considerable amount of research was needed in a short space of time and although shown at the ‘Spring’ in 2013, it wasn’t fully completed to Alan’s satisfaction until the following year.
The line opened in 1865 as far as Langston and to Hayling Island 1½ years later, being operated by the LBSCR from the 1.1.1872 until it was absorbed into the SR in 1923. The lines significant structure was Langston bridge which consisted of timber trestles supported by concrete piers. It was some 370 yards in length, with 48 spans and a 40 foot swing bridge in the centre. It had a weight limited of 28 tons 5cwt over the swing bridge section, so only the diminutive Stroudley Terriers were permitted to work over the line.
In 1961, the bridge was deemed to require serious repair costing around £400,000 so closure was inevitable. Alan’s film comprehensively covers the last passenger workings on the 2nd November 1963, followed by cine film footage of the special that ran the following day.
An excellent film demonstrating how the community on Hayling Island relied on the railway, those who operated it regarded as being part of the family. I am sure the audience learnt a lot about the railway in this informative film.
Both of the presenters should be congratulated on a fine evening’s entertainment.
Reporters Denis Horsman / Geoff May / Alan Wallbank
The visit originally would have coincided with the Autumn Railway Gala however the decision was taken to close the Ryde to Shanklin line from 6th September to 6th October to carry out further engineering work. The railway along the pier to Ryde station will not reopen until May 2025. As a result the Isle of Wight Steam Railway quietly withdrew the planned Gala.
On a fine sunny morning twenty nine attendees from the Members weekend set off on the 9:15 Fast Cat Ferry from Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head. The majority then walked from the Pier Head to the Bus interchange. For the less mobile a minibus was available. We then caught the number 9 Bus and alighted at Wootton Station. There was sufficient time to view the concrete structure which will form part of the new feature to demonstrate how freight used to be carried on the Railway. It was also interesting to read about the history of the current station originally on the other side of the main road at a lower level than the original line. Initial plans were to extend to Newport. However, it was established that there was no likelihood of the Preserved railway reaching Newport.
Once the steam train arrived we were able to travel in our reserved compartments for the journey to Smallbrook Junction and then back to Havenstreet, which is now the operating centre of the Railway. Guided tours had been arranged to the carriage workshop and the locomotive workshop in small groups. In addition to looking at the work in progress we were given some history of how the railway was able to build up its coaching stock due to the number of coach bodies being sold for holiday homes which were then restored and mounted on GUV bogies. Currently an original four wheel teak coach is being restored to form part of a vintage train. Unlike the other coaches the coach body has been retrieved from the mainland. In addition a trailer coach for the Ryde Pier tramway is being built and this will then be permanently coupled with the driving coach. This will be equipped with the driving controls from the existing unit. The single coach currently struggles to cope with demand when it is operating. We were then taken through the Locomotive yard and into the workshop and given a brief history of the locos owned by the railway. Currently Ivatt 41298 and LBSCR Terrier number 8 are undergoing overhaul. It is intended to eventually restore the only remaining LBSCR E1 loco. This will assume the identity of W2 Yarmouth which is a loco which used to operate on the railway, however this will require a new boiler.
Following a break for lunch there was a tour of the “Train Story” which enables the collection of the historic vehicles to be kept under cover. This includes locomotives and rolling stock. The museum also covers the history of the Pier Tramway from its origin as a horse tramway to its final closure. As it was not running the reconstructed railcar was on display. We were also given access to the yard where the maintenance vehicles are kept and not normally open to the public.
Reporter Gordon Adams
We left the hotel in Portsmouth at 8:45 for a full day of visiting parts of the modern-day rail system not normally available to the public. Arriving in Eastleigh at about 9:30 we were met by our Arlington guides and after a briefing on what we could expect to see we started the tour, commencing with the outside sidings.
In the immediate area we saw EMU’s including Unit 313201 which is in storage for potential future preservation. Also included were some 442 stock and a 700 unit. Moving down the sidings were HST power cars and two BR Mk2 coaches last used by English Welsh & Scottish Railways (EWS) Next, we saw in a painting booth an immaculate Pacer 142007 which was being repainted as well as 73002 which was in the preparation stages of a repaint. Moving to the siding leading from the main sheds Electro-Diesel 73101 in Pullman livery was visible.
Next, we entered the main sheds where the work of repair, refurbishment and renovation takes place. Here we saw Class 47’s Class 700’s in various stages of repair, together with engines and generators that had been removed for further treatment. In another area wheelsets and bogie frames were awaiting refurbishment and probable re-use. In an additional small shed (small for Eastleigh works that is!) we visited the privately owned shunters that are used at Eastleigh. These are immaculately decorated in the Arlington Fleet Even though it was a Saturday, several trains and items of rolling stock were being actively worked on. Finally, we visited the sidings at the Northwest end of the site where Class 50 “50026 Indomitable” is stabled. In the same area is a Class 07 Ruston shunter, previously 07 007 now in BR Blue livery and returned to its original BR number D2991.
The visit showed us a fascinating insight into the amount of equipment and space that is necessary to maintain current rolling stock. We thank the staff and management of Arlington Fleet for their kindness in allowing us to visit their premises and to the guides for their knowledge and time that they voluntarily gave.
We all then re-boarded the Minibus for a visit to the Watercress Line, details of which are in a separate report!
Reporters Ian Mckey & Ron Ramsden
Following the Group visit to the Arlington Fleet Depot at Eastleigh in the morning, the members were taken by Mini-bus to Alresford Station where we started our visit to the Watercress Line. First was a visit to the station Buffet to collect the Groups pre‑ordered cream teas and to enjoy some light refreshments whilst awaiting the arrival of our train. After a short wait, Urie S15 506 entered Alresford with our train, which we then joined after finding the seats that had been reserved for us.
The Watercress Line runs from Alresford to Alton, a distance of 10 miles with intermediate stations at Ropley, Medstead and Four Marks, and after reaching the summit of the line, terminating at Alton, where it connects with the South Western Railway Service to Waterloo. The S15, having run round the coaches at Alresford hauled our train the full length of the line, calling at both intermediate stations, before arriving in Alton.
Once again, the S15 ran round the coaching stock and we again joined the train for a return trip, but on arrival at Ropley we left the train to spend time in the engineering works. Two members of the Watercress engineering team then led us through the Boiler shop and machine shop. Later we saw the wheel drop bay and got to view, in close up, the various engines being prepared for the weekend’s trains. A member of the Urie Loco Society gave us an update on the work being done to restore S15 No. 499 to operational condition. Finally, we visited the Carriage & Wagon works to see the Watercress Line’s restoration work on the carriages, including a new approach to restoring carriage roofs.
After our workshop visits, we caught the final train of the day from Ropley to Alresford to meet our minibus that conveyed us all back to Portsmouth and the Hotel.
In Wallace and Gromit parlance, “It were a Grand Day Out!”
If you would like more information about the restoration of S15 No.499 then see The Urie Loco Society webpage.
Reporters Ian Mckey & Ron Ramsden
In the presence of special guest Rebecca Dalley, CEO The Watercress Line
Forty-six diners sat down for the Annual Members’ Weekend dinner at the Royal Maritime Hotel, Portsmouth on Saturday evening 28th September. The guests were made up of 44 members, members wives/partners plus our guest speaker Rebecca Dalley and her partner Tim Manna.
Following Grace by Richard Morris, Society Secretary, the sumptuous meal of excellently cooked food with generous portions was very well served by the hotel staff, Over coffee, Chairman James Milne introduced Rebecca Dalley who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Watercress Line based at Alton, Hampshire.
With a career and an eighteen-year background via the Science Museum and into the Aviation Heritage sector her emphasis has always been preserving infrastructure and equipment to make viewing accessible by all. This therefore brought some very challenging projects, mainly moving aircraft from hangers that would not fit into the buildings projected to rehouse them. This included work at Duxford Airfield near Cambridge being involved in the “Centenary of Flight” celebrations when 50 second world war Spitfires were launched into the air. Time was spent at RAF stations Hendon and Cosford. A major project was thwarted for a considerable time when attempts were made to move a Sunderland Flying Boat for a distance of about a mile due to its size. Similarly, a German Heinkel He III needed to be moved when the hangar doors were not wide enough. Calling in favours, a team was set up to remove the wings and reassemble them once the move had taken place,
Moving on to the largest project with the Mid Hants Railway, moving Merchant Navy 35005 “Canadian Pacific” from Eastleigh to Alton. Eastleigh no longer had the skills to complete the restoration project, and the sheer weight and size of the loco posed a problem getting it over Campbell Road bridge at Eastleigh. Weight restrictions were cut from 44t to 14t. Help from Lord Peter Hendy, who put a Network Rail team together to gain various approvals to facilitate the move, were put on hold in November 2023 due to structural issues with the bridge. Eventually props were put in place to support the bridge and a vehicle with 11 independent axles, which were all used, manoeuvred the loco into position for onward movement to the Mid-Hants and potential completion of the restoration project is expected to be in 2025.
Reporter John Day
The afternoon began with a slightly blowy journey across the water from Portsmouth to Gosport and then a brisk (windy that is!) walk from the ferry terminal to the Museum. Looking around the visitor centre we saw an example of an ‘X’ craft from WW1, crewed by just three people and capable of appearing just where the enemy surface ships didn’t want them to – these craft disrupted the enemy attempts to destroy the merchant shipping heading to the UK. Outside the visitor centre, a memorial garden carried the names of all personnel who gave their lives in the service of their country, along with the names of the submarines they served on. Sometimes just a single name, but equally the entire crew was named. We saw the very first Royal Navy submarine – Holland 1 launched in 1901. Preserved, it was possible to see how its crew of nine had to contend with conditions which were rather claustrophobic. The vessel to walk right through was ‘A’ class submarine HMS Alliance, launched in 1947 and which served in the Royal Navy until 1971. Our guides through HMS Alliance explained how the crew of over 40 were accommodated in cramped conditions, only the Commanding Officer having any elbow room in his ‘space’. All the food and drink for a two month mission was squeezed into every available nook and cranny on board. One of our guides actually served on HMS Alliance, and both served during the 1982 Falklands conflict. Back in the visitor centre we saw the Captain’s cabin from HMS Conqueror along with displays of other items from the submarine. Also on display were various iterations of torpedoes used by the submarine corps – including an example of the one which swung the balance of the Falklands campaign firmly in the UK’s favour. Going aboard gave members a fascinating insight into life in the Royal Navy Submarine Service.
Reporter Richard Morris