Remembering My Lines

Colin Brading, our speaker this afternoon, presented us with a superb selection of his favourite sights, journeys and everything he liked about the railways. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining presentation.
We visited the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man railways, narrow gauge railways such as the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch, including a short film about its construction, and the Welsh Highland railway. Being an ex-railway infrastructure engineer Colin had a particular interest in stations and their buildings, loco sheds, bridges and the many things around the railway not just on it.
While on the Isle of Wight we spent a while looking at the locos, in particular no.22 “Brading”. Following his career with BR and Network Rail Colin became a consultant specialising particularly in track and track laying, as the time moved on, we saw the development of track laying equipment and the various methods used to give us a smooth ride. Also, showing locos from the start of railways through to the development of HST’s, looking at the cavalcades put on at Rainhill and Shildon, plus some of the trains seen in South Africa, India & Poland whilst visiting these countries. Towards the end the presentation we saw the development of track laying on the London Underground and the Settle and Carlisle line. Finishing with a few silly railway moments and a superb tour of the S&C in pictures accompanied by music.
A really enjoyable very varied afternoon enjoyed by everyone.

Dave Elsdon
Branch Secretary