COMMENT
A bumper edition this month, with news of planned excursions, talks and club dinners, as well as, some photographs from Paul Dally’s collection from when he worked as a Track Maintenance Engineer with Network Rail [and others].
But first, some sad news and I have to report that Reg Lewis, a member for some time, has passed away. Members may well remember Reg for his long rakes of HO American steam outline stock. We have passed on condolences to Reg’s family and, for those who may wish to attend to pay their last respects, his funeral is being held St Benedicts RC Church, Sketty, on the 21st March at 9am, followed by cremation at Morriston Crematorium at 11am.
These are, sadly, becoming more frequent events.
THE LIBRARY
Members may be interested to know that Ian Davies recently donated a good quantity of quality railway books to the Library, with more to come. These mostly cover the LMS, and help to fill a subject gap in our collection. Given that the LMS [following on from the LNWR] had a not-insignificant footprint in South Wales, there will be something to interest many from within the donation. Bob Cotton is in the process of cataloguing the collection and it should all be on the shelves soon.
Can I also ask those who have books out on loan to remember to return them when they have finished with them. A number of GWR rolling stock publications have been out for a while and are wanted by other members. Thank you.
PLANNED CLUB EVENTS FOR 2024
From last month’s announcements, more information and dates here for your diary. The new events are in bold:
· 23rd. March 2024 – the club has taken two tables at the Bronwydd Toy and Train Sale [Bronwydd Hall, Bronwydd Arms SA33 6BD]. Organised by the West Wales O Gauge Group and open between 10.30am and 3pm. Entry £2. Come and support the club!
· 26th March 2024 [Tuesday] – club curry night at the Mumtaz, 470 Mumbles Road, Mumbles. An attendance list for this event has been placed on the club’s noticeboard, together with a copy of the fixed menu. Orders will be taken on the night. Members may attend free and each may bring one guest at half-price [£12.50]. The event is not far off now so please, if you wish to attend, put your names down soon. Any questions, contact John Allnutt.
· 28th. March 2024 - SRMG’s annual modelling competition. Cash prizes!
· 1st June 2024 – West Wales Model Railway Show - Bronwydd Hall, Bronwydd Arms SA33 6BD. Organised by the West Wales O Gauge Group and open between 10am and 4pm. Adults £5, children £3 and family tickets £12. The club will be represented at this show. Do join us.
· At a date to be agreed in late June, the club’s annual dinner at Norton House. Again members attend for free with a guest at half-price. Details to follow.
In addition to the above, two outings are being planned. Subject to our ability to book coaches for these events, we shall shortly take expressions of interest from members to attend:
· 5th. May 2024 [Sunday] – a West Somerset Railway steam event which is planned to see in steam an LNER B1, a 66XX, a 28XX, a Mogul, a Pannier, a Coal Tank and other stock. Previous visits to the WSR were well attended and really enjoyable. Transport will be free but members will be responsible for paying their own entry [pre-booking Adult £38 and Child £19, tickets on the day will cost slightly more]. Coach seats will be subject to a fully refunded £10 deposit.
· 5th. October 20024 – a Severn Valley Railway Diesel Bash which will include Hydraulics and Diesel Electrics as well as much else to see at this iconic heritage railway. Entry prices to follow and the transport arrangements are as above.
Finally, three other events are in planning: two illustrated talks on pre-Grouping Welsh Railways and a members’ running day when most layouts will be open for all to run their stock on. Dates for these are yet to be confirmed although they may be held on Sundays to ease both parking and provide a suitable room for the lectures.
It’s planned to be a busy year, and there’s the show, too…..
A print from a rather poorly touched-up and hand-coloured vintage postcard. It shows traffic on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, nearing the sea locks which allow access to and from the River Severn. Above the canal is the first railway bridge over the Severn, with the swing bridge open to allow traffic to pass below.
The bridge was severely damaged in 1960 when it was hit by two out-of-control barges carrying fuel. The collision brought down one of the piers and closed the bridge. A decision was taken to repair the bridge but, incredibly, two further shipping accidents sealed its fate and it was demolished.
COMMITTEE ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
For those unable to attend the recent AGM, the following members comprise the club’s Committee for the next 12 months. No election was required as all nominees were unopposed.
Chair - Martin Evans
Deputy Chair - Gwion Davies
Treasurer - Ted Hylton
Secretary - Paul Dally
The Ordinary Members are Harvey John, Rob Pendry, John Allnutt and Tony Richards. Bob Cotton remains the Librarian and David Williams the Auditor.
The AGM minutes will be circulated to all members in due course.
From August 1967, a fine portrait of D1057 Western Chieftain facing west at Cardiff General. With thanks once again to Bob Masterman.
SOME GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS
First, a request for members not to remove the cleaning materials from the top floor toilet for use elsewhere. For fairly obvious reasons it is simply unhygienic!
And an equally important matter. A number of members have observed on at least two occasions that on arriving early on Thursdays, lights had been left on, a heater was still running and some doors were left unlocked following club use on the previous [Wednesday] evening. Please would all who use the club remember that it is the responsibility of the last person attending to ensure that our premises are fully and safely secured.
AND FINALLY
Club member Paul Dally worked as a Track Maintenance Engineer on the railway for many years and during that time attended a number of accidents and derailments in line with his duties. Paul took many photographs of these and has allowed me to share them more widely through the newsletter. I’ll be posting them regularly during the coming months and, to make a start, here is a dramatic set of photographs taken in May 1998, just east of Cardiff Central Station. The location will be recognisable to any who know the incline up away from the station towards Cardiff Queen Street, it’s clearly visible in a number of the shots [on the right].
The accident involved an iron ore train becoming badly derailed as a consequence of a broken switch rail in a double slip. This mess took around three weeks to fully clear. The loco involved was a Class 60.
Substantial track damage is evident with a detached and wrecked bogie lying in the foreground.
Complete destruction of the permanent way. Further along the track, the low retaining wall and old, redundant signal cabling prevented some of the stock from plunging over into the street a long way below.
‘I thinks it’s broken mate….’
That’s your lot for this month.
Best wishes