Just Like the Old-Days

A presentation by Des Shepherd.
A nostalgic trip into past was the theme for our members at this evening’s meeting, Des Shepherd’s presentation “Just Like the Old Days”, took us on a historical journey with photographs taken in recent years but scenically could well have been many years ago. He was aided by some of the preservation groups putting on events recreating history at some of their Gala Days turning the clock back to the 1920’s or 30’s. Des had a wonderful eye for seeing history despite there being something very up to date close by. Also, monochrome photographs helped as this eliminated some of the odd colours there are about on modern stock. We started with an series of freight shots including an 8F on the GCR, a spam can mixed freight in the Bluebell Line. Moving to scenes from the S & D with freight recreations with their 4F & 7F loco’s. Other scenes were a GWR King at Twyford and Castle class in Sonning cutting, these were taken in 2012 just before the Western Main Line had the wires up, making these replications impossible now. Des was a stickler for correctness particularly with head-code lamp positioning or in the case of the Southern the white discs. We were also taken to Waterloo on days when the Bullied Pacific’s were working the Pullman train specials and to Cannon Street where he had a photograph of Taw Valley leaving showing St Paul’s Cathedral rising above the smoke and steam which obliterated some of the modern features that would have given the recreation away. A fascinating evening showing what can be done if you look very carefully.

Dave Elsdon
Branch Secretary