PRC 2019 - 20 Programme
Monday 9th September 2019
Chris James: "Broad and metre gauge railways in Spain, Portugal and Argentina over the years."
Chris reflects on his journeys through slides and digital presentation, featuring modern and steam heritage trains.
Monday 23rd September 2019
Amyas Crump: "Peter Gray's Westcountry". Part 2
We continue our tribute to, and celebration of, Peter Gray's railway memories. Amyas delves into Peter's archive to provide a further fascinating recollection of his vast collection of colour photographs taken during the age of steam.
Monday 7th October 2019
John Gulliver: "The Barnstaple line: yesterday, today and the future." Part 2
John concludes his analysis and commentary on the branch line from Exeter to Barnstaple with a reflection on its recent and current role in the transport of north Devon. Digital presentation.
Monday 21st October 2019
Lou Watkins and Mervyn Kendall: "Switzerland: a tale of two trips."
This is a digital show of two halves. The first half will tell the tale of Lou and Mervyn's trip in September 2017, travelling from West to East & back again. The second half will tell the tale of their trip in February 2018 to travel on the RhB Snowblower over the Bernina Pass.
Monday 4th November 2019
Annual General Meeting followed by President’s selection.
Monday 18th November 2019
Alex Green: "Privatised or Nationalised - which is best for Britain's railways?".
A debate considering the merits of nationalisation of the UK railways versus the case for their continued privatisation.
With the Labour Party now committed to re-nationalising Britain’s railways if elected to govern the UK and with 25 years of experiencing a privatised Railway under the Conservatives, Alex examines the origins of our past and present management structures and debates the merits and disadvantages of each option. The rest is up to the listener to debate and decide! Our speaker is a part time Tour Manager with Great Rail Journeys.
With the Labour Party now committed to re-nationalising Britain’s railways if elected to govern the UK and with 25 years of experiencing a privatised Railway under the Conservatives, Alex examines the origins of our past and present management structures and debates the merits and disadvantages of each option. The rest is up to the listener to debate and decide! Our speaker is a part time Tour Manager with Great Rail Journeys.
Monday 2nd December 2019
Barry Stirman: "The World of Steam in sound and cine."
Barry treats us to more of his recent travels through digital video
Part 1: "Steam SouthWest 2018" - mainline steam around the area (and yes, it has the 'Scotsman!)
Part 2: "Rio Grande Railroad - La Vita Route" - a scenic 2196 ft climb over the Rockies in Colorado with standard gauge steam.
followed by: "The Groudle Glen Railway" in the Isle of Man. (if time "The Great Laxey Mine Railway")
Part 1: "Steam SouthWest 2018" - mainline steam around the area (and yes, it has the 'Scotsman!)
Part 2: "Rio Grande Railroad - La Vita Route" - a scenic 2196 ft climb over the Rockies in Colorado with standard gauge steam.
followed by: "The Groudle Glen Railway" in the Isle of Man. (if time "The Great Laxey Mine Railway")
Monday 16th December 2019
The Mills Railway Year 2019
Our annual celebration of the year's railway events, as always presented by Bernard who continues to enthuse with this year's travels, and with his camera reminds us to observe the local as well as national railway scene.
Monday 6th January 2020
Barry Jones: "Westcountry Blues".
Devon and Cornwall railways with a focus on the Rail Blue era of the late 70s and early 80s - also including some topical updates. A digital presentation.
Monday 20 January 2020
Steven Andrews: “The Classic Traction Review of 2019.”
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 3 February 2020
Richard Jones: "50 years with Heritage Railways"
Richard reflects on the railways with which he has served through a photographic and narrated journey. His presentations reflect his vast experience in professional service to some of the smaller and larger heritage railways. Digital presentation.
Richard Jones: "50 years with Heritage Railways"
Richard reflects on the railways with which he has served through a photographic and narrated journey. His presentations reflect his vast experience in professional service to some of the smaller and larger heritage railways. Digital presentation.
Monday 17 February 2020
"Railway Impressions: Master Shots - Capturing the very best in Railway Images."
Our photographic competition is taking a break this year, but our regular team of prize winners is going to dazzle us with a short selection of those photographs they consider to be their very own master shots. Featuring Paul Maycock, Bernard Mills, Stuart Hammond, Steven Andrews.
"Railway Impressions: Master Shots - Capturing the very best in Railway Images."
Our photographic competition is taking a break this year, but our regular team of prize winners is going to dazzle us with a short selection of those photographs they consider to be their very own master shots. Featuring Paul Maycock, Bernard Mills, Stuart Hammond, Steven Andrews.
Monday 2 March 2020
"A Swiss Railway Evening with John Fissler"
John explains the NRLA (New Rail Links through the Alps) strategy and operation which includes the Lötschberg, Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels on SBB/BLS routes, and follows this with a look at the new Rhatische Bahn infrastructure construction, including the Albula tunnel and second Hinterrhein bridge.
Part 2, by popular request, is a second screening of John's Rhätische Bahn video showing steam and historical traction including the steam-driven rotary snow blower on the Bernina Bahn. John's work as professional engineer for BR and successor companies, as well as roles of Area and Divisional S &T engineering, helps him to deliver a detailed commentary.
"A Swiss Railway Evening with John Fissler"
John explains the NRLA (New Rail Links through the Alps) strategy and operation which includes the Lötschberg, Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels on SBB/BLS routes, and follows this with a look at the new Rhatische Bahn infrastructure construction, including the Albula tunnel and second Hinterrhein bridge.
Part 2, by popular request, is a second screening of John's Rhätische Bahn video showing steam and historical traction including the steam-driven rotary snow blower on the Bernina Bahn. John's work as professional engineer for BR and successor companies, as well as roles of Area and Divisional S &T engineering, helps him to deliver a detailed commentary.
Monday 16 March 2020
John Truscott and Bernard Mills : "Images and sounds of West Country Steam in the early Sixties."
Bernard and John join up again to provide a combination of authentic sound and images of steam, including local trains in the West Country and also in the Isle of Wight, climbing Shap and at Edinburgh.
John Truscott and Bernard Mills : "Images and sounds of West Country Steam in the early Sixties."
Bernard and John join up again to provide a combination of authentic sound and images of steam, including local trains in the West Country and also in the Isle of Wight, climbing Shap and at Edinburgh.
Monday 30 March 2020 - Meeting Cancelled
Paul Chancellor: A Seventh Colour-Rail Journey.
This will feature mainly steam but also a modern mix. A long overdue return from Paul's important archive preservation of railway photographs.
Paul Chancellor: A Seventh Colour-Rail Journey.
This will feature mainly steam but also a modern mix. A long overdue return from Paul's important archive preservation of railway photographs.
Monday 27 April 2020 - Meeting Cancelled
Peter Triggs: "Roaming through Wessex".
Steam and diesel in the landscape of Wessex, with trams and buses thrown in for good measure, alongside Peter's good sense of humour! Slideshow
Peter Triggs: "Roaming through Wessex".
Steam and diesel in the landscape of Wessex, with trams and buses thrown in for good measure, alongside Peter's good sense of humour! Slideshow
Monday 11 May 2020 - Meeting Cancelled
Members Photos and Video Evening
Gareth Harrison: "A Western Photographic year" (digital photograph presentation)
Richard Green: "Railway Pub Signs"
David Goodyear: "British Railways snapshot - the 1980's"
Stuart Hammond: tbc
Members Photos and Video Evening
Gareth Harrison: "A Western Photographic year" (digital photograph presentation)
Richard Green: "Railway Pub Signs"
David Goodyear: "British Railways snapshot - the 1980's"
Stuart Hammond: tbc
Summer Fixtures will be announced shortly!!