Thursday 26th JANUARY 2006

Chris Hurricks

Appeared in Journal 494

Owing to the non availability of the booked speaker our worthy secretary, Steve Worsley, stood in with a selection of railway slides from the Keith Pirt collection taken between 1956 and 1968. Because of the unavoidably late start time was limited but we were nevertheless able to enjoy 136 very varied subjects.

Keith Pirt died last year at the age of 68 so this showing was very appropriate. Nearly every part of the UK and Ireland was covered, virtually all the subjects being steam, and the shots were of high quality. Included were several of the farewell to steam specials of 4th and 11th August 1968 bringing back memories of those hectic days to several members. KP had lived in Sheffield and there were views in that area, many on ex GC lines now long gone.

Most impressive for me was a superb shot of the old Belfast Great Victoria Street with two of the large GNR (I) 4.4.0's, whilst Terriers on the KESR and Hayling lines were noteworthy. A few shots of Clauds, J15/19/20's at March and E4's on their last days on the Mildenhall branch gave a little GE flavour. Thanks, Steve, for an interesting show and for pulling something out of the hat at very short notice.

Front Cover. GBRf 66705 'Golden Jubilee' with flats from Felixstowe at Westerfield on 20th January. Photo by Richard Mortimer

Rear Cover Top. Network Colchester vehicles are now regularly seen in the Ipswich area. AY55 DKA, a Scania Omnidekka on the 09.35 Colchester to Ipswich service is seen at Capel St Mary on 8th February. Photo by Richard Mortimer.

Rear Cover Bottom. G617 BPH, a Volvo B10M-50 resting at the Old Cattle Market between contracts journeys on 21st Fenruary. Photo by Fred Ward.