This is not only incredibly my 750th post on this here little part of the interweb Southern Railway related blogosphere, but more importantly today marks the 60th and Diamond Wedding anniversary of my dear Mum and Dad. The last 18 months has been a huge challenge for all the family due to my Mum's health, … Continue reading Anniversaries all round, a diamond look back to 1963
Category: History
Celebrating Waterloo 175 with the ‘The Waterloo Story’ exhibition
Told through over 100 historical and contemporary images, The Waterloo Story recounts the sometimes surprising history of this 175 year old railway station and will be located on the main concourse of the station. Compiled by friend Mike Lamport and Network Rail, with assistance from the South Western Circle, The Waterloo Story is well worth viewing … Continue reading Celebrating Waterloo 175 with the ‘The Waterloo Story’ exhibition
The lager must be mine… Graham’s Golden Lager and a tenuous link to Canute Road Quay
Released by Oxford Rail, back in February 2021 , their OR76TK2006 Graham's Golden Lager No113 12 Ton Tank wagon was a bit of impulse buy due to its branding and the fact that I feel their 12T tank wagon is one of Oxford Rail’s best models to date. Little did I realise at the time … Continue reading The lager must be mine… Graham’s Golden Lager and a tenuous link to Canute Road Quay
#OnThisDay… O.V.S. Bulleid passed away
Today marks 53 years since the passing of Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid CBE. He was of course Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway between 27th May 1937 and 31st December 1947 and then briefly for the Southern Region of British Railways until 1st October 1949. On the 10th May 1937 Sir Nigel Gresley advised … Continue reading #OnThisDay… O.V.S. Bulleid passed away
60 years since “The Reshaping British Railways” – the Beeching report
It is sixty years to the day when Dr Richard Beeching's report "The Reshaping of British Railways" was officially published on the 27th March 1963. The report and its effects are still discussed with many opinions to this to this day, often in connection with the proposed reopening of some lines and the actual reopening … Continue reading 60 years since “The Reshaping British Railways” – the Beeching report
Marking 100 years since the formation of the Southern Railway – a potted history
It would be remiss of me not to mark the fact that today is 100 years since the Grouping and the formation of the Southern Railway, it also of course marks the demise of its constituent companies. This post attempts to provide a simplified potted history of the Grouping and the Southern Railway. Although the … Continue reading Marking 100 years since the formation of the Southern Railway – a potted history
Operation Dynamo; not just small ships…the Southern Railway played its part…80 years on
Following on from marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day earlier this month on 8th May, today marks 80 years on since the evacuation of Allied soldiers commenced from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940. This is essentially a repost from 5 years ago but … Continue reading Operation Dynamo; not just small ships…the Southern Railway played its part…80 years on
75 years on – Marking VE Day – Putting the Southern Railways war effort into perspective
Today marks 75 years since Victory in Europe Day or VE Day. VE Day is the day on which Allied forces formally announced the surrender of Germany, which brought the Second World War to a close in Europe. The military surrender was first signed on May 7, but a slightly modified document with the final … Continue reading 75 years on – Marking VE Day – Putting the Southern Railways war effort into perspective
Talking Stock #31 my own thoughts on the 1948 Locomotive Exchange trials
I have now made two previous posts on this blog about the 1948 locomotive exchange trials, and my models of the locomotives that featured on Southern metals and would have passed through Salisbury and therefore can occasionally be seen on Fisherton Sarum. The first Talking Stock # 2 post focused mainly on the Express Passenger … Continue reading Talking Stock #31 my own thoughts on the 1948 Locomotive Exchange trials
Talking Stock #30 The 1948 Locomotive Exchanges from the freight perspective
Much has been written in the past about the locomotive exchanges that took place in 1948 shortly after nationalisation; indeed my own Talking Stock #2 post here discussed the exchange trials and featured some of the locomotives that appeared on the Southern with respect to the Express Passenger, General Purpose locomotive trials. Not discussed so … Continue reading Talking Stock #30 The 1948 Locomotive Exchanges from the freight perspective