26 January 2022 The Ken Nunn Collection 1898-1961

Presenter Jeremy Harrison

It was a pleasure to witness this unique collection of Southern Region images acquired by the Locomotive Club of Great Britain, who retain the ‘showing rights’ whilst the images have been transferred to the National Railway Museum.

LCDR No. 25, an M3 class 4-4-0, waiting to leave Victoria circa 1898. Image credit: LCGB/NRM Ken Nunn collection

Steam power reigned supreme, the original images being taken from glass plates. We began from an era well before the audience was born and gradually moved forward to an era most of us can almost remember. Many locomotives were in their original as built condition, prior to later rebuilding, as with the Merchant Navy Class and earlier still the conversion of the K Class 2-6-4 ‘River tanks’ into the U Class 2-6-0 tender locomotives, following derailments and motion difficulties with the original build.

Fascinating to view steam locomotives on main line services, in familiar locations, to the Sussex and South East Hampshire coast, prior to the 1930s electrification. Even our home city of Chichester was featured, prior to the 1950s re-building.

Images of the steam hauled Royal Train are always popular and what better way to celebrate than with views on route to The Derby race meeting at Epsom Downs.

Bulleid Pacifics, Lord Nelsons, King Arthurs, and Schools locomotives –we all just about remember them, and the second half of the presentation gave us views in abundance of when these machines ruled the rails throughout Southern England.

Such was the volume and quality of the images it was 22:26 before we finally said goodnight, the longest Branch meeting we have offered to date. Thank you Jeremy, for allowing us an insight into the wonderful world of Ken Nunn’s images.