A well-structured, wide ranging, quick-fire photographic slide film presentation “ROAMING AROUND LONDON WITH A CAMERA” was provided by Geoff Brockett, who in retirement has made good use of the TfL Freedom Pass and his retired Staff pass to roam and splendidly capture the extensive diversity of Locomotives, EMUs and DMUs in various liveries old and new and the activity in and around Greater London, and environs. Embracing the new and the historically curious showing how efficient railways can be, but also showing some of their inefficiencies.
Primarily covering the period from 2021 through to August 2023 and featuring some traction and trains in their final days, some going to the scrapyard or for storage, plus also specials and some obscure special workings. Starting with the Underground network – covering Central Line tube workings, the new subsurface H stock, re-engineering of depot tracks for the new Piccadilly tube trains, Croydon Tramlink, 1938 Heritage Tube Stock, DLR and long closed stations as well as the new Bakerloo Line Battersea extension.
Coverage of the mainline started with a shot of a Class 309 Clacton EMU in 1994, DMUs(Gospel Oak to Barking line), Lillie Bridge Depot mainline and tube, North Acton upgrade works, Custom House original Beckton DLR shuttle,and historic shots of Mount Pleasant Mail Rail. Modern Traction and EMUs included Classes 315, 317, 321, 345, LNW Class 350, 455, 465.Also Eurostar, London Overground Class 710, Class 720, Royal Mail Class 319s,Class 387s at Paddington, Classes 749, 802, Locos Classes 43, 50, 57, 457,67,68, 69, 73, 90, 91, and 92. All on various services and stock transfers or on Thunderbird duties,as Light Locos, Charters, Specials (including the Blue Pullman). Other services included the Royal Train from Kings Lynn to Wolverton ending with a final section on Steam (including an Armistice Day Special) and former District Line “D” Stock now serving on the Isle of Wight.