26th April - Classic Views from the 50's and 60's

Dave Soggee - report by Chris Hurricks

The meeting opened with a few words from the President about Cyril Owen whose funeral had been held that afternoon. Although Cyril had not been a member for some years he was very well known to many in Ipswich, a real character who will be missed by all.

This was Dave's fourth visit to us but it was his second to Ipswich in a fortnight, having appeared at the RCTS meeting, too. The first half was taken up with a thorough look at the Isle of Man during the 'Ailsa Years' - 1967 to 1971. Starting with classic shots of the Steam Packet turbine vessels, a pre war Douglas Corporation AEC decker in that superb livery led us to the highly characterful steam railway logically starting at the impressive Douglas terminus then still complete with two island platforms. Lord Ailsa originally took over the railway for 21 years with very expansive plans, indeed the train service he provided in 1968 was extremely lavish and far beyond commercial requirements. However, reality soon set in and he actually gave up after 5 years with the Peel and Ramsey lines only running for one year under his control.

Nevertheless, for the enthusiast it was a wonderful period which Dave had made the most of. We took a journey to Port Erin featuring that steep 1 in 65 climb out of Douglas necessitating double heading of the heavier trains. Santon station with much grass between the rails presented a great contrast with today's rather sanitised version. A shot at Port Erin with the track lifted reminded us of earlier gas main works on the route. We then experienced the Peel line with the originally separate Manx Northern line branching off at St. Johns to run up to Ramsey. Some scenic views on these lines were concluded with a classic double header leaving Douglas with portions for Peel and Ramsey. The second half started with views of that enigmatic junction at St Johns in 1968, its last year before closure, with the ex County Donegal railcars in use whilst some very overgrown track at Ballaugh belied the fact that it was still in use. A brief look at the other Manx transport gems, the Manx Electric and the Douglas horse trams, followed. Dave had some advice for users of the horse trams, having endured a ride when the horse had suffered continuous wind the whole way and he was sitting at the front of the car!

We then turned to something much more local with shots at several locations on the M & GN system including some on the very last day, 28th February 1959. The austere buildings at Norwich City station, badly damaged by bombing in the war, contrasted with some very lonely outposts west of Lynn. Even closer to home were scenes of the Aldeburgh branch with the GER coach body acting as a waiting room at Thorpeness and the show concluded with shots at Beccles and Lowestoft including one of a Lowestoft Corporation double decker. Steve Worsley gave the vote of thanks for what had been another of Dave's absorbing shows.