Plymouth Railway Circle Meetings 2017
Monday 9 January 2017
The Classic Traction Review 2016 by Steve Andrews of Classic Traction
Sound and cine from Steven’s DVD compilations from last year. Featuring a wide variety of preserved and modern traction within locations throughout the UK.
Sound and cine from Steven’s DVD compilations from last year. Featuring a wide variety of preserved and modern traction within locations throughout the UK.
Monday 23rd January 2017
Canada, the USA and the Rockies by Bernard Mills
In a change from the advertised talk on Sweden by Richard Green due to illness, Bernard Mills will be presented his talk Canada, the USA and the Rockies. This is a wonderful historical presentation of North America as it was in the early to mid 1970s, and for those PRC members with a long enough memory, actually formed Bernard's Christmas show from 1975!
In a change from the advertised talk on Sweden by Richard Green due to illness, Bernard Mills will be presented his talk Canada, the USA and the Rockies. This is a wonderful historical presentation of North America as it was in the early to mid 1970s, and for those PRC members with a long enough memory, actually formed Bernard's Christmas show from 1975!
Monday 6th February 2017
Rhatische Bahn Reflections by John Fissler
The Rhätische Bahn is the extensive metre gauge network of the Graubünden canton of Switzerland and is second only in mileage to the Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) in the country. This stunning network includes the UNESCO listed Albula and Bernina lines featuring the highest open air railway crossing of the Alps as well as the Rheinschlucht. The talk, utilising photographs and video, takes an in-depth look at RhB operations as well as some behind-the-scenes matters, and features steam, heritage and modern traction and also RhB's steam-powered rotary snowplough.
The Rhätische Bahn is the extensive metre gauge network of the Graubünden canton of Switzerland and is second only in mileage to the Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) in the country. This stunning network includes the UNESCO listed Albula and Bernina lines featuring the highest open air railway crossing of the Alps as well as the Rheinschlucht. The talk, utilising photographs and video, takes an in-depth look at RhB operations as well as some behind-the-scenes matters, and features steam, heritage and modern traction and also RhB's steam-powered rotary snowplough.
Monday 20th February 2017
ABOVE: Class 42 'Warship' D823 Hermes + Class 52 'Western' D1011 Western Thunderer enter Saltash working the 1c30 0830 Paddington - Penzance on Thursday 2nd October 1969. Copyright Bernard Mills / Classic Traction Images. Ref: BM000026. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
The Western Region Hydraulic era by Bernard Mills
A valedictory tribute to mark the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Westerns and the end of the hydraulic era.
A valedictory tribute to mark the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Westerns and the end of the hydraulic era.
Monday 6th March 2017
Railway Decades in Focus: The 1990's by Paul Maycock
Featuring liveries, diesel action and open days from this decade. This is both a digital presentation and video, in two halves.
Featuring liveries, diesel action and open days from this decade. This is both a digital presentation and video, in two halves.
Monday 20th March 2017
Devon from 14 to 1400 feet by Amyas Crump
Devon's railways and railway architecture, with vintage rail, road transport and shipping! No doubt Amyas will include an interactive mystery section to stimulate our participation!
Devon's railways and railway architecture, with vintage rail, road transport and shipping! No doubt Amyas will include an interactive mystery section to stimulate our participation!
Monday 3rd April 2017
Swiss Railway Wonderland: The Gotthard line and rails in the Luzern area
by Arthur Turner
A tribute to the busy Gotthard line before the Base tunnel opened in December 2016. The Luzern area features visits to the Rigi Bahn, Zentralbahn to Engelberg and the Pilatus Bahn. (Slideshow).
by Arthur Turner
A tribute to the busy Gotthard line before the Base tunnel opened in December 2016. The Luzern area features visits to the Rigi Bahn, Zentralbahn to Engelberg and the Pilatus Bahn. (Slideshow).
Monday 24th April 2017
The mid-1970's railscene in Devon, Cornwall and the Westcountry by Roger Winnen
Roger returns with a second selection from his very impressive photographic archive.
Roger returns with a second selection from his very impressive photographic archive.
Monday 8th May 2017
ABOVE: SR 'West Country' 7P5F 4-6-2 34007 Wadebridge passes Charlie's Gate on 30th May 2014. Copyright Bernard Mills / Classic Traction Images. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
The Plymouth Railway Circle Members slide & video evening 2017: featuring:
David Goodyear: Snapshot of railways in East Anglia (digital presentation)
John Fissler: "Look mum, no signals!" - (Future railway train control aspires to eliminate line-side signals - digital presentation) John will follow this with "a brief China rail experience" if time permits.
Chad: details to be announced (film)
Barrie Stirman: Mainline Steam Southwest 2016 (film)
David Goodyear: Snapshot of railways in East Anglia (digital presentation)
John Fissler: "Look mum, no signals!" - (Future railway train control aspires to eliminate line-side signals - digital presentation) John will follow this with "a brief China rail experience" if time permits.
Chad: details to be announced (film)
Barrie Stirman: Mainline Steam Southwest 2016 (film)
Autumn Term 2017
Monday 11th September 2017
A Sixth Colour-Rail Journey by Paul Chancellor:
This will feature mainly steam but also a modern mix. A long overdue return from Paul's important archive preservation of railway photographs:
This will feature mainly steam but also a modern mix. A long overdue return from Paul's important archive preservation of railway photographs:
Monday 25th September 2017
Tribute to the Hymeks & Echo of the London Midland Region
by Steve Andrews of Classic Traction.
In a change to our advertised programme, we are pleased to announce Steve Andrews of Classic Traction will be providing a DVD-video show from the Classic Traction Collection. In Part I we will see Tribute to the Hymeks followed by Echo of the London Midland Region in Part II.
Tribute to the Hymeks - To many, the Class 35 'Hymeks' were the most successful of all of the Western Region's five diesel-hydraulic designs. Built between May 1961 and February 1964, over a hundred 'Hymeks' were constructed by Beyer-Peacock at their Gorton Works in Manchester. Numerically the largest class in the Western Region's diesel-hydraulic fleet, the 'Hymeks' had a power output of 1740hp, and were the only diesel-hydraulic class in the Type 3 power category, and unlike their sister main line hydraulics, were single engined, used an 87 litre Maybach V16 MD870 power plant that was a development of the MD650 and MD655 units that had earlier seen service in the Class 41, 42 and 43 'Warships,' as well as the larger and more powerful Class 52 'Westerns.' In this DVD, we pay tribute to these reliable and robust locomotives, as we see them at work in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire on a variety of passenger and goods duties, including double-headig with GWR 41xx Large Prairie 2-6-2Ts, as well as their larger hydraulic siblings, such as the 'Warships' and 'Westerns.' We see D7017, D7018 and D7076 in action on the Minehead line, as well as D7017 during her iconic visit to the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway in 2014, where she recreated the legendary 'Cheltenham Spa Express.' Included is a variety of 'Hymek' liveries, including BR Green with small yellow warning panels and BR Green with full yellow ends, as well as the later corporate BR Blue livery. Filmed over a 7 year period, this programme shows Class 35 'Hymeks' hard at work on a variety of duties, working solo or in combination with other period traction, such as 'Warships' and 'Westerns,' and is the perfect programme for 'Hymek' and hydraulic enthusiasts to reminisce and savour the majestic sound from the Hymek's Maybach V16 engine!
Echo of the London Midland Region is a tribute DVD to the Severn Valley Railway Diesel Gala that was held over the 19th - 21st May 2016. Featuring an unsurpassed total of 21 different locomotives from 13 different classes, the gala featured a combination of diesels that have worked on the London Midland Region, and in particular, around the West Midlands area over the last 50 years. In this tribute to diesels of the London Midland Region, we include some designs that date back to the early 1950s, which also included the most recent rebuilt and re-engineered diesels in the country, Cummins fitted Network Rail Class 73/9s 73951 & 73952, and the newest diesel on the National Network, DRS Class 68 68025 Superb, which was just 9 days old when it attended the gala! In this programme we see some 21 locomotives including Class 08 D3022, Class 09 D4100 Dick Hardy,Class 20s D8059, D8188, 20142 & 20205, Class 31s 5580 (31162) & Devon & Cornwall Railways 31452, Class 33/0 33035, DRS Class 37/7 37716, Class 46 'Peak' D182 (46045), Class 50s 50008 Thunderer,50035 Ark Royal & 50049 Defiance, Class 52 'Western' D1015 Western Champion running as long scrapped sister D1058 Western Nobleman,Class 55 Deltics D9002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, GBRF Class 66/7 66763 Severn Valley Railway, DRS Class 68 Vossloh 'Eurolight' 68025 Superb and Ultra 73 Network Rail Class 73/9s 73951 Malcolm Brinded and 73952 Janis Kong. This gala was one of the most successful diesel galas to date to be held on the Severn Valley, and will evoke memories of classic diesels in the West Midlands, both past and present, from humble Class 20s & Class 31s, to the iconic Class 46 'Peaks,' Class 50s and Class 52 'Western,' right up to state of the art Ultra 73s and DRS Vossloh Class 68s!'
by Steve Andrews of Classic Traction.
In a change to our advertised programme, we are pleased to announce Steve Andrews of Classic Traction will be providing a DVD-video show from the Classic Traction Collection. In Part I we will see Tribute to the Hymeks followed by Echo of the London Midland Region in Part II.
Tribute to the Hymeks - To many, the Class 35 'Hymeks' were the most successful of all of the Western Region's five diesel-hydraulic designs. Built between May 1961 and February 1964, over a hundred 'Hymeks' were constructed by Beyer-Peacock at their Gorton Works in Manchester. Numerically the largest class in the Western Region's diesel-hydraulic fleet, the 'Hymeks' had a power output of 1740hp, and were the only diesel-hydraulic class in the Type 3 power category, and unlike their sister main line hydraulics, were single engined, used an 87 litre Maybach V16 MD870 power plant that was a development of the MD650 and MD655 units that had earlier seen service in the Class 41, 42 and 43 'Warships,' as well as the larger and more powerful Class 52 'Westerns.' In this DVD, we pay tribute to these reliable and robust locomotives, as we see them at work in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire on a variety of passenger and goods duties, including double-headig with GWR 41xx Large Prairie 2-6-2Ts, as well as their larger hydraulic siblings, such as the 'Warships' and 'Westerns.' We see D7017, D7018 and D7076 in action on the Minehead line, as well as D7017 during her iconic visit to the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway in 2014, where she recreated the legendary 'Cheltenham Spa Express.' Included is a variety of 'Hymek' liveries, including BR Green with small yellow warning panels and BR Green with full yellow ends, as well as the later corporate BR Blue livery. Filmed over a 7 year period, this programme shows Class 35 'Hymeks' hard at work on a variety of duties, working solo or in combination with other period traction, such as 'Warships' and 'Westerns,' and is the perfect programme for 'Hymek' and hydraulic enthusiasts to reminisce and savour the majestic sound from the Hymek's Maybach V16 engine!
Echo of the London Midland Region is a tribute DVD to the Severn Valley Railway Diesel Gala that was held over the 19th - 21st May 2016. Featuring an unsurpassed total of 21 different locomotives from 13 different classes, the gala featured a combination of diesels that have worked on the London Midland Region, and in particular, around the West Midlands area over the last 50 years. In this tribute to diesels of the London Midland Region, we include some designs that date back to the early 1950s, which also included the most recent rebuilt and re-engineered diesels in the country, Cummins fitted Network Rail Class 73/9s 73951 & 73952, and the newest diesel on the National Network, DRS Class 68 68025 Superb, which was just 9 days old when it attended the gala! In this programme we see some 21 locomotives including Class 08 D3022, Class 09 D4100 Dick Hardy,Class 20s D8059, D8188, 20142 & 20205, Class 31s 5580 (31162) & Devon & Cornwall Railways 31452, Class 33/0 33035, DRS Class 37/7 37716, Class 46 'Peak' D182 (46045), Class 50s 50008 Thunderer,50035 Ark Royal & 50049 Defiance, Class 52 'Western' D1015 Western Champion running as long scrapped sister D1058 Western Nobleman,Class 55 Deltics D9002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, GBRF Class 66/7 66763 Severn Valley Railway, DRS Class 68 Vossloh 'Eurolight' 68025 Superb and Ultra 73 Network Rail Class 73/9s 73951 Malcolm Brinded and 73952 Janis Kong. This gala was one of the most successful diesel galas to date to be held on the Severn Valley, and will evoke memories of classic diesels in the West Midlands, both past and present, from humble Class 20s & Class 31s, to the iconic Class 46 'Peaks,' Class 50s and Class 52 'Western,' right up to state of the art Ultra 73s and DRS Vossloh Class 68s!'
Monday 9th October 2017
Swedish Rhapsody by Richard Green
Richard presents us with a multimedia report of his 2015 adventures with the Basingstoke Group, travelling in and around Stockholm. Main line, freight, trams, narrow gauge, museum steam, models and more. This is a talk that was rescheduled from last Spring.
Richard presents us with a multimedia report of his 2015 adventures with the Basingstoke Group, travelling in and around Stockholm. Main line, freight, trams, narrow gauge, museum steam, models and more. This is a talk that was rescheduled from last Spring.
Monday 23rd October 2017
ABOVE: Class 25 D7624 pilots LMS 5MT 'Black Five' 4-6-0 45206 with an oil working at Settle Junction on 19th July 1968.
Copyright: Bernard Mills / Classic Traction Images Ref: BM000226. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
Copyright: Bernard Mills / Classic Traction Images Ref: BM000226. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
Sights and Sounds of Steam in the 1960s by Bernard Mills & John Truscott
Bernard and John join up again to provide a combination of authentic sound and images of steam climbing up through Shap Wells and at Shap Summit followed by a trip behind 34106 on the Plymouth to Okehampton "Brighton" service. Digital presentation.
Bernard and John join up again to provide a combination of authentic sound and images of steam climbing up through Shap Wells and at Shap Summit followed by a trip behind 34106 on the Plymouth to Okehampton "Brighton" service. Digital presentation.
Monday 6th November 2017
ABOVE: Class 50 50008 Thunderer TnT GBRf 66771 approach Foley Park Tunnel working the1206 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster Town on 18th May 2017. Copyright Steve Andrews / Classic Traction. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
PRC Annual General Meeting followed by President’s selection
Monday 20th November 2017
From the South West to Scotland and Switzerland by Barry Jones
A digital presentation including South West steam before journeying onwards to Scotland and Switzerland. Barry will incorporate some tips for qualities to look out for to help when considering a photograph; this is to prepare us for our forthcoming photographic competition at which we will all have the opportunity to judge entrants' contributions.
A digital presentation including South West steam before journeying onwards to Scotland and Switzerland. Barry will incorporate some tips for qualities to look out for to help when considering a photograph; this is to prepare us for our forthcoming photographic competition at which we will all have the opportunity to judge entrants' contributions.
Monday 4th December 2017
ABOVE: In a perfect BR Western Region recreation from the 1960s, GWR 64xx 0-6-0PT Pannier Tank 6412 stands at Buckfastleigh on 17th February 2017. Copyright B. Mills / Classic Traction Images. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
Devon, Cornwall and beyond in sound and cine by Barry Stirman
A trip behind a pannier steaming from Plymouth to Looe, and some steam & diesel workings in the region, followed by a visit to Bulgaria for a steam tour. See what else Barry decides to throw in the mix! North German narrow gauge steam has been mentioned.....
A trip behind a pannier steaming from Plymouth to Looe, and some steam & diesel workings in the region, followed by a visit to Bulgaria for a steam tour. See what else Barry decides to throw in the mix! North German narrow gauge steam has been mentioned.....
Monday 18th December 2017
ABOVE: SR 'West Country' 7P5F 4-6-2 34092 City of Wells crosses Corfe Viaduct working the1740 Swanage - River Frome on 2nd April 2017. Copyright Bernard Mills / Classic Traction Images. www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
Mills Railway Year 2017 by Bernard Mills
Bernard's roving camera has captured this year's local and national railway scene. There are always a few reminiscences from past and present compared to reinforce the increasing pace of change demonstrated in the railways of the UK.
Bernard's roving camera has captured this year's local and national railway scene. There are always a few reminiscences from past and present compared to reinforce the increasing pace of change demonstrated in the railways of the UK.