9th August 2021 · On-Line Meeting: A Year in Lockdown

Presenter: Jack Boskett

At our last Zoom meeting of the season, on Monday 9th August, Jack Boskett gave a presentation entitled “A Year in Lockdown”. Jack is an enthusiast  and professional photographer, whose portfolio includes illustrations in The Daily Telegraph and a multitude of colour covers on various railway magazines. Although this was an unprecedented period on Britain’s railways he was able to assemble a fascinating collection of images from February/March 2020 to the present day for our enjoyment. Jack’s selection opened on the Isle of Wight with the last workings of the former London Transport 1938 tube stock in immaculate condition. His extensive knowledge of the railway enthusiasts’ “grapevine” enabled him to be in the right place at the right time for shots of heritage steam and diesel workings on a variety of special trains upon main lines and preserved railways such as the Gloucestershire Warwickshire and Severn Valley Railways. Your reviewer was horrified to see the amount of relatively modern locomotives such as Class 91 and passenger rolling stock including Mark 3a coaches that were being worked to sidings for storage prior to imminent scrapping. In fact the sidings at Long Marston are being extended to cater for the amount of these vehicles being stored there. One highlight that contrasted strongly with this depressing traffic was the inaugural run of the modern-day Midland Pullman – a refurbished HST for luxury charter workings.