AUTUMN TERM 2015
Monday 7th September 2015
ABOVE: BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75005 stands at Blandford Forum on the much lamented Somerset & Dorset route which is the subject of Michael Beale's talk on Monday 7th September. Photograph: Copyright B. Mills / Classic Traction Images. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com
THE END OF THE LINE by Michael Beale.
The End of the Line is a chronicle of the final year of the much lamented Somerset and Dorset Railway which once ran from Bath Green Park to Bournemouth West. Jointly operated by the Southern and LMS, this talk focuses on the routes last months of operation, from publication of the closure notice in June 1965, through to the false closure in January 1966, and the subsequent emergency timetable, to the final weekend of 5th & 6th March 1966 and direct immediate aftermath. In this fascinating talk, we will see the final decline of this once great cross-country artery, how expresses such as the iconic 'Pines Express' were diverted away from the more direct route over the S & D, and even almost 50 years after closure, the line referred to as the 'slow and dirty' is still remembered with such affection.
The End of the Line is a chronicle of the final year of the much lamented Somerset and Dorset Railway which once ran from Bath Green Park to Bournemouth West. Jointly operated by the Southern and LMS, this talk focuses on the routes last months of operation, from publication of the closure notice in June 1965, through to the false closure in January 1966, and the subsequent emergency timetable, to the final weekend of 5th & 6th March 1966 and direct immediate aftermath. In this fascinating talk, we will see the final decline of this once great cross-country artery, how expresses such as the iconic 'Pines Express' were diverted away from the more direct route over the S & D, and even almost 50 years after closure, the line referred to as the 'slow and dirty' is still remembered with such affection.
Monday 21st September 2015
ABOVE: GWR 14xx 0-4-2T auto tank 1451 stands at Tiverton Junction with BR (WR) auto trailer W220. Photograph: Copyright B. Mills Collection / Classic Traction Images. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
DEVON STEAM DUO by Peter Gray and Bernard Mills
The Plymouth Railway Circle's resident expert historian photographers team up for a presentation which reminds us of the glorious years of steam in Devon. As we venture over such classic locations as the banks of Hemerdon, Rattery and Dainton, including possibly the branch lines to Launceston, Princetown, Ashburton and Moretonhempstead, down the line to Torquay, Paignton and Kingswear, as well as along the iconic sea wall at Dawlish, as we venture to the cathedral city of Exeter where Southern meets Western. Expect a veritable feast of power including 'Kings,' 'Castles,' 'Halls,' 'Granges' and 'Manors,' possibly including a 47xx 2-8-0 'Night Owl,' 72xx 2-8-2T or Churchward 2-8-0, as well as the ubiquitous GWR Pannier, Prairie and 14xx auto tanks, with hopefully a 'Western' or 'Warship' creeping in to boot, it is a chance to reminisce and revisit some scenes long forgotten during this slide and digital presentation. A talk that no Great Western enthusiast will want to miss out on!
The Plymouth Railway Circle's resident expert historian photographers team up for a presentation which reminds us of the glorious years of steam in Devon. As we venture over such classic locations as the banks of Hemerdon, Rattery and Dainton, including possibly the branch lines to Launceston, Princetown, Ashburton and Moretonhempstead, down the line to Torquay, Paignton and Kingswear, as well as along the iconic sea wall at Dawlish, as we venture to the cathedral city of Exeter where Southern meets Western. Expect a veritable feast of power including 'Kings,' 'Castles,' 'Halls,' 'Granges' and 'Manors,' possibly including a 47xx 2-8-0 'Night Owl,' 72xx 2-8-2T or Churchward 2-8-0, as well as the ubiquitous GWR Pannier, Prairie and 14xx auto tanks, with hopefully a 'Western' or 'Warship' creeping in to boot, it is a chance to reminisce and revisit some scenes long forgotten during this slide and digital presentation. A talk that no Great Western enthusiast will want to miss out on!
Monday 5th October 2015
INTERLAKEN INTERLUDE by Richard Green.
Richard Green illustrates his July 2014 visit to Switzerland with the Basingstoke group. Main, secondary, mountain and preserved lines, standard and narrow gauge, electric and steam, plus funiculars, cableways, a nautical touch and a smattering of the scenic to link it all together.
Richard Green illustrates his July 2014 visit to Switzerland with the Basingstoke group. Main, secondary, mountain and preserved lines, standard and narrow gauge, electric and steam, plus funiculars, cableways, a nautical touch and a smattering of the scenic to link it all together.
Monday 19th October 2015
ABOVE: An NCB Austerity J94 0-6-0ST is seen in action at Mountain Ash colliery during April 1978. Copyright B. Mills / Classic Traction Images - www.classictractionimages.weebly.com
STEAM IN ACTION IN WALES by Amyas Crump
Our old friend Amyas Crump returns to give us a presentation on steam in Wales during the late 1950s and 1960s, during a period when steam traction, both on the GWR, LMS and former LNWR lines was still very much the order of the day, and there still was a strong presence of industrial steam, particularly in the collieries and heavy industry present in South Wales. We also visit a few narrow gauge lines, and include visits to Brecon, the lines from Welshpool to Aberystwyth and Pwhelli, and also included for good measure are some vintage buses!!
Our old friend Amyas Crump returns to give us a presentation on steam in Wales during the late 1950s and 1960s, during a period when steam traction, both on the GWR, LMS and former LNWR lines was still very much the order of the day, and there still was a strong presence of industrial steam, particularly in the collieries and heavy industry present in South Wales. We also visit a few narrow gauge lines, and include visits to Brecon, the lines from Welshpool to Aberystwyth and Pwhelli, and also included for good measure are some vintage buses!!
Monday 2nd November 2015
PRC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & President's slide selection.
Join us for the Circle's 68th Annual General Meeting - where the Circle President, Vice President and Committee will give their annual reports, the audited Circle accounts are presented by the Treasurer, and various other reports are presented by were the Committee, such as the Chairman's report, fixtures, sales stand update and magazine report. The Circle will also vote for its new committee officers for 2014 - 2015, including a President, Vice President and Committee for the next PRC year. Members are also able to (as PRC members) to address any concerns or ask any questions before the Committee. As is a Circle tradition, the AGM was followed by a presentation from the current President.
Join us for the Circle's 68th Annual General Meeting - where the Circle President, Vice President and Committee will give their annual reports, the audited Circle accounts are presented by the Treasurer, and various other reports are presented by were the Committee, such as the Chairman's report, fixtures, sales stand update and magazine report. The Circle will also vote for its new committee officers for 2014 - 2015, including a President, Vice President and Committee for the next PRC year. Members are also able to (as PRC members) to address any concerns or ask any questions before the Committee. As is a Circle tradition, the AGM was followed by a presentation from the current President.
Monday 16th November 2015
BRANCHES, BYWAYS AND MAIN LINES OF SUSSEX
by Steve Andrews of Classic Traction
Steven returns for the next installment of his exploration of the country's Branches, Byeways and Main Lines, this time examing in detail the railways of Sussex. Stretching from Rye in the east to Chichester in the west, we take look at a varitable feast of steam, diesel and electric traction, as well as industrial narrow gauge and miniature locomotives. From Bulleid Pacifics to industrial narrow gauge steam, see the branches and byways that often get overlooked as we explore the railways throughout Sussex.
by Steve Andrews of Classic Traction
Steven returns for the next installment of his exploration of the country's Branches, Byeways and Main Lines, this time examing in detail the railways of Sussex. Stretching from Rye in the east to Chichester in the west, we take look at a varitable feast of steam, diesel and electric traction, as well as industrial narrow gauge and miniature locomotives. From Bulleid Pacifics to industrial narrow gauge steam, see the branches and byways that often get overlooked as we explore the railways throughout Sussex.
Monday 30th November 2015
LSWR Beattie 'well tank' 2-4-0WT 30585 leaves Boscarne Junction with a china clay working on the Bodmin & Wenford. Photograph: Bernard Mills / CLASSIC TRACTION IMAGES.
ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
Tonight we reveal the annual results for the PRC 2015 Photographic Competition - come and see the high standard and variety of entries - and see who has been awarded First, Second and Third Places, as well as the covenantated Wakelin Whistle Prize.
Tonight we reveal the annual results for the PRC 2015 Photographic Competition - come and see the high standard and variety of entries - and see who has been awarded First, Second and Third Places, as well as the covenantated Wakelin Whistle Prize.
Monday 14th December 2015
Industrial 0-4-0ST Birkenhead passes Lee Moor Crossing with a 'Santa Special' working on the Plym Valley. Photograph: Bernard Mills / CLASSIC TRACTION IMAGES.
THE 2015 MILLS RAILWAY YEAR by Bernard Mills
Bernard returns to give us his 50th presentation of the annual Mills Railway Year. Bernard has faithfully been recording the ever changing scene since 1965, and come and see what gems the Mills' illustrious camera has recorded this year! From the Santa Specials on the Plym Valley and Bodmin & Wenford, to the changing scene on the National Network - see what beckons for this annual Christmass presentation!
Bernard returns to give us his 50th presentation of the annual Mills Railway Year. Bernard has faithfully been recording the ever changing scene since 1965, and come and see what gems the Mills' illustrious camera has recorded this year! From the Santa Specials on the Plym Valley and Bodmin & Wenford, to the changing scene on the National Network - see what beckons for this annual Christmass presentation!