Wait and see – Andrew Barclay

MEETING REPORT 14th SEPTEMBER 2022

Our September meeting (the first of the 2022/2023 season) was very disappointing in terms of the numbers attending.  However, this did not detract from the extensive slide presentation by Andy Barclay, which featured slides from the collections made by Peter Fox and Alan Lovecy, and dating in the main from the 80’s & 90’s.  There was so much variety on offer.  The electric classes 76 (EM1) and 77 (EM2) featured strongly with both local freight & passenger services on the long-closed Woodhead line.  Many diesel-electric classes were seen in a variety of settings and locations including classes 24, 25, 31, 33, 37, 40, 45 & 55.  A veritable feast of classic traction.  We saw the class 158 DEMU’s being built at Derby Works.  The steam loco side was not neglected with slides of 4771 Green Arrow, 3F & 4F 0-6-0 Midland freight types, the occasional BR Standard loco including classes 5 4-6-0, Britannia 4-6-2 & 9F 2-10-0.  A number of Stanier ‘Black Fives’ were seen, some with Caprotti valve gear.  The locations included, of course Sheffield (Tinsley depot in particular), York, Blea Moor (Settle-Carlisle) Weymouth Quay branch, Leeds Neville Hill, Didcot, Stratford (London) & Towyn (North Wales).  A real potpourri of places!  Towards the close we saw the sad sight of the original station at Dore & Totley being demolished.  Ironically, the station is now in the throes of expansion and redevelopment!

Derek Stuckey