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ORIGINAL MESSAGE
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 17 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
For those interested, "The Great Gathering" of all 6 surviving A4 steam locomotives is now happening at the National Railway Museum in York. A friend of mine has been there already, but was unable to get decent photos due to the size of the crowds. Having never seen more than 2 together in the past - ie at New Barnet over 50 years ago, this is something really special! I hope to get there myself sometime later this year.
RESTRICTED THREAD: please make railway matters the main subject of your reply.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 23 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes, Stephen, the National Railway Museum at York in my opinion is well worth a visit even for non-steam buffs like my wife as you can also sit and enjoy a fine tea there. We went last year and hope to go this year whilst all 6 A4s (streaks) are still there before the 2 from the America (1 US and 1 Canadian) go back. There is a good photo of them in the latest edition of Steam Railway without lots of crowds. Incidentally if you list Steam Railway as 1 of your interests on Facebook you get a steady stream of photos and news sent to your account. I have enjoyed many rail trips behind A4s over the years including one from Kings Cross to Peterborough and over the Nene Valley line. Of course I have happy memories from schooldays of the Talisman behind an A4 racing through New Barnet after school.
Then & NowDATE: 23 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes, Stephen, the National Railway Museum at York in my opinion is well worth a visit even for non-steam buffs like my wife as you can also sit and enjoy a fine tea there. We went last year and hope to go this year whilst all 6 A4s (streaks) are still there before the 2 from the America (1 US and 1 Canadian) go back. There is a good photo of them in the latest edition of Steam Railway without lots of crowds. Incidentally if you list Steam Railway as 1 of your interests on Facebook you get a steady stream of photos and news sent to your account. I have enjoyed many rail trips behind A4s over the years including one from Kings Cross to Peterborough and over the Nene Valley line. Of course I have happy memories from schooldays of the Talisman behind an A4 racing through New Barnet after school.
NAME: Nick Dean 
.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 24 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I can't offer a group picture of all six A4s, but the 'Bittern' has recently been doing dining trips between King's Cross and York, as evidenced by photos taken recently at Potters Bar by this particular sad man on a platform.
DATE: 24 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I can't offer a group picture of all six A4s, but the 'Bittern' has recently been doing dining trips between King's Cross and York, as evidenced by photos taken recently at Potters Bar by this particular sad man on a platform.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 27 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
If your photos were on Facebook, Nick, I would be ticking the 'Like' box. Certainly they are as good as many sent via the Steam Railway site to me. Perhaps you should post them to them?
I confess to also being a "sad man on a platform". I have in my photo collection somewhere pictures of the newly built A1 'Tornado' coming through Andover en route to Salisbury and beyond. I am also glad to have travelled behind it on the West Somerset Railway. I am jealous of your seeing 'Bittern' on its record breaking trip to York and have to be content with the recent Steam Railway article and photos. I am content with much of my travel being of the armchair variety with books, magazines and TV. I did, however, get to go to the Hampton Court Garden show with my wife, rather than just seeing it on TV. We enjoy it there more than the Chelsea show.
The mention of Potters Bar reminds me of the Hatfield and Potters Bar crashes as well as the recent derailments in France and Spain with the sad loss of life etc. I think the ones not concentrating on better safety for all of us public are the real sad and dangerous people.
Then & NowDATE: 27 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
If your photos were on Facebook, Nick, I would be ticking the 'Like' box. Certainly they are as good as many sent via the Steam Railway site to me. Perhaps you should post them to them?
I confess to also being a "sad man on a platform". I have in my photo collection somewhere pictures of the newly built A1 'Tornado' coming through Andover en route to Salisbury and beyond. I am also glad to have travelled behind it on the West Somerset Railway. I am jealous of your seeing 'Bittern' on its record breaking trip to York and have to be content with the recent Steam Railway article and photos. I am content with much of my travel being of the armchair variety with books, magazines and TV. I did, however, get to go to the Hampton Court Garden show with my wife, rather than just seeing it on TV. We enjoy it there more than the Chelsea show.
The mention of Potters Bar reminds me of the Hatfield and Potters Bar crashes as well as the recent derailments in France and Spain with the sad loss of life etc. I think the ones not concentrating on better safety for all of us public are the real sad and dangerous people.
NAME: Mike Carter
DATE: 28 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
I cannot compete with the A4's, my last memories of them outside Museums being at Hadley Wood where I spent many a happy evening watching trains whilst supposedly doing homework. If the weather turned I nipped over the fence onto the down platform and worked in the waiting room. The local porter didn't seem to mind, probably pleased to have some company. Nowadays if I want a steam fix I can stand outside my house and watch narrow gauge trains go over the crossing alongside. The Stanier hooter is very distinctive and at some galas in the past a visiting loco with Chime Whistle has brought back very happy memories.
DATE: 28 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1957-63
I cannot compete with the A4's, my last memories of them outside Museums being at Hadley Wood where I spent many a happy evening watching trains whilst supposedly doing homework. If the weather turned I nipped over the fence onto the down platform and worked in the waiting room. The local porter didn't seem to mind, probably pleased to have some company. Nowadays if I want a steam fix I can stand outside my house and watch narrow gauge trains go over the crossing alongside. The Stanier hooter is very distinctive and at some galas in the past a visiting loco with Chime Whistle has brought back very happy memories.
NAME: Vic Coughtrey 
Then & Now
DATE: 28 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
My favourite vantage point as a boy was that little bridge in the wood itself, between Hadley Wood and New Barnet stations. later, in the early '60s, whilst working at Maw's pharmaceutical factory I used to take my lunch-time sandwiches to that same bridge. By this time, of course, the steam locos were becoming few and far between. Maw's, which was in Cromer Road, had extensive but largely unused playing fields which extended as far as the footpath alongside the line, just north of New Barnet station. The whole lot - factory and playing fields - have long since been replaced by a housing estate. The last time I visited the little bridge it had been rebuilt with higher parapets, so you could no longer see the track from it.
Incidentally, you steam buffs may be interested to know that my partner Angela's maternal great-grandfather was William Dean of the Dean class locos. Angela's cousin, who builds steam locos for miniature railways, named one of them 'William Dean'. Let me know if you spot it anywhere!
Then & NowDATE: 28 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
My favourite vantage point as a boy was that little bridge in the wood itself, between Hadley Wood and New Barnet stations. later, in the early '60s, whilst working at Maw's pharmaceutical factory I used to take my lunch-time sandwiches to that same bridge. By this time, of course, the steam locos were becoming few and far between. Maw's, which was in Cromer Road, had extensive but largely unused playing fields which extended as far as the footpath alongside the line, just north of New Barnet station. The whole lot - factory and playing fields - have long since been replaced by a housing estate. The last time I visited the little bridge it had been rebuilt with higher parapets, so you could no longer see the track from it.
Incidentally, you steam buffs may be interested to know that my partner Angela's maternal great-grandfather was William Dean of the Dean class locos. Angela's cousin, who builds steam locos for miniature railways, named one of them 'William Dean'. Let me know if you spot it anywhere!
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 29 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Jas - it gets sadder [reply 3]. The 'Bittern' was to have run again on 27/7 and I duly turned up at Brookmans Park, camera in hand. It didn't arrive and I learned from a friend who had thought better of going along to Potters Bar that this latest run had been postponed until 31 August due to "fire risk". (Quite what they did for the 140 years after 1830 I'm not sure ...) The 'Tornado' is due to pass along the same route bound for Newcastle on 10 August. Anyway, enough of that. I also went to Hampton Court this year (first time since 2006) and to Chelsea, which we have done every year since the early '90s. Personally I do prefer the latter because of its sheer quality and the late spring atmosphere (and the first Pimms of the year). But it's a matter of taste and I know others who prefer HC. A bonus at Chelsea this year was access, as part of the Fringe, to the about-to-be-developed Battersea Power Station site. Cue for another photo...
DATE: 29 July 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Jas - it gets sadder [reply 3]. The 'Bittern' was to have run again on 27/7 and I duly turned up at Brookmans Park, camera in hand. It didn't arrive and I learned from a friend who had thought better of going along to Potters Bar that this latest run had been postponed until 31 August due to "fire risk". (Quite what they did for the 140 years after 1830 I'm not sure ...) The 'Tornado' is due to pass along the same route bound for Newcastle on 10 August. Anyway, enough of that. I also went to Hampton Court this year (first time since 2006) and to Chelsea, which we have done every year since the early '90s. Personally I do prefer the latter because of its sheer quality and the late spring atmosphere (and the first Pimms of the year). But it's a matter of taste and I know others who prefer HC. A bonus at Chelsea this year was access, as part of the Fringe, to the about-to-be-developed Battersea Power Station site. Cue for another photo...
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 03 August 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I do not remember seeing the miniature loco 'William Dean' myself, Vic [reply 5] though the internet and Wikipedia may provide some answers somewhere. I do remember seeing a Dean's goods loco in Swindon Railway Museum separated from its tender and I think that this is the last one in preservation. I enjoyed my visits to that museum but unlike the National Railway museum at York it is not free to go in, though at York I do buy things to help with the funds. One attractive feature at Swindon is showing the different processes that took place at Swindon Railway Works, when it was the main GWR works employing many Swindon townspeople.
You lucky person, Mike [reply 4], for being so near your steam fix. There was a possibility that my family were to get a house near the Mid Hants standard guage line between Alreford and Alton but in the end nothing came of it alas. We do have a railway line at the end of our house in Ludgershall, Wilts but alas very few trains. There has been a diesel hauled goods daily to the MOD Medical Depot and it does hoot as it goes by. The only steam hauled trains came in I believe 1987 soon after we moved here coutesy of the then regional manager at Salisbury, a steam rail fan, Mr Daniels. I have the photos to prove it. Our family does enjoy travelling on narrow guage as well as standard guage lines. We have been on the RH&D line the last few years and more distantly the Rattie in Cumbria and the Bure Valley line in Norfolk. We enjoyed all but found the scenery on the last disappointing due to the high hedges.
Sorry, Nick [reply 6], about the non-appearance of Bittern at Brookmans Park. At least you had the earlier views at Potters Bar and photos to prove it. As regards Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, I have been to Chelsea thrice and my wife twice, the difference being my afternoon/early evening trip with Sparshot College a few years ago. I was working there at the time and they take a stand every year at Chelsea along with laying on a coach to go. We decided not to go to both this year and the cost of admission is one factor. Still I did have my glass of Pimms with all the right ingredients whilst watching the Chelsea reports on TV. We like the river streams and fountains at HC whilst having a drink under the marquee. The flowers in the main flower tent are very good but the show gardens were somewhat comical. I took many photos rivalling another man with his camera. I also have enjoyed Wimbledon on the TV this year with my home strawberries and cream.
Then & NowDATE: 03 August 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I do not remember seeing the miniature loco 'William Dean' myself, Vic [reply 5] though the internet and Wikipedia may provide some answers somewhere. I do remember seeing a Dean's goods loco in Swindon Railway Museum separated from its tender and I think that this is the last one in preservation. I enjoyed my visits to that museum but unlike the National Railway museum at York it is not free to go in, though at York I do buy things to help with the funds. One attractive feature at Swindon is showing the different processes that took place at Swindon Railway Works, when it was the main GWR works employing many Swindon townspeople.
You lucky person, Mike [reply 4], for being so near your steam fix. There was a possibility that my family were to get a house near the Mid Hants standard guage line between Alreford and Alton but in the end nothing came of it alas. We do have a railway line at the end of our house in Ludgershall, Wilts but alas very few trains. There has been a diesel hauled goods daily to the MOD Medical Depot and it does hoot as it goes by. The only steam hauled trains came in I believe 1987 soon after we moved here coutesy of the then regional manager at Salisbury, a steam rail fan, Mr Daniels. I have the photos to prove it. Our family does enjoy travelling on narrow guage as well as standard guage lines. We have been on the RH&D line the last few years and more distantly the Rattie in Cumbria and the Bure Valley line in Norfolk. We enjoyed all but found the scenery on the last disappointing due to the high hedges.
Sorry, Nick [reply 6], about the non-appearance of Bittern at Brookmans Park. At least you had the earlier views at Potters Bar and photos to prove it. As regards Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, I have been to Chelsea thrice and my wife twice, the difference being my afternoon/early evening trip with Sparshot College a few years ago. I was working there at the time and they take a stand every year at Chelsea along with laying on a coach to go. We decided not to go to both this year and the cost of admission is one factor. Still I did have my glass of Pimms with all the right ingredients whilst watching the Chelsea reports on TV. We like the river streams and fountains at HC whilst having a drink under the marquee. The flowers in the main flower tent are very good but the show gardens were somewhat comical. I took many photos rivalling another man with his camera. I also have enjoyed Wimbledon on the TV this year with my home strawberries and cream.
NAME: Roger Nolan 
DATE: 12 September 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
I live near the coast, a few hundred yards east of New Romney Station on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and as I am writing this I can hear the steam whistle. Many a day, I can sit in the garden and smell that wonderful mixture of coal smoke and steam when the wind is in the right direction. When my son was a teenager he worked as a volunteer on the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Tenterden Town and sometimes I would take him early on a Saturday morning to Tenderden Station as he would be responsible for lighting the fire in the boiler ready for the day ahead.
DATE: 12 September 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
I live near the coast, a few hundred yards east of New Romney Station on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and as I am writing this I can hear the steam whistle. Many a day, I can sit in the garden and smell that wonderful mixture of coal smoke and steam when the wind is in the right direction. When my son was a teenager he worked as a volunteer on the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Tenterden Town and sometimes I would take him early on a Saturday morning to Tenderden Station as he would be responsible for lighting the fire in the boiler ready for the day ahead.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 17 September 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Glad to hear, Roger, that you enjoy from your garden the smells from the RH&D railway. The last few years we have stayed at Pontins at Camber Sands either in the spring or autumn using the Sun or Daily Mail holiday vouchers to stay in an apartment. This year we are going in a caravan for 4 nights from 21/10/13 at Park Resorts Romney Sands near New Romney. Maybe if you are home and interested to do so, we could meet up. The wife's mobile number is 07947382794. She has hers on more than me with mine. We hope to travel on both the RH&D as well as the Kent and East Sussex Railway from Tenterden, as well as visiting some English Heritage site or sites such as 1 or more of the Kent castles and the NT garden at Sissinghurst, which we specially also enjoy.
Then & NowDATE: 17 September 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Glad to hear, Roger, that you enjoy from your garden the smells from the RH&D railway. The last few years we have stayed at Pontins at Camber Sands either in the spring or autumn using the Sun or Daily Mail holiday vouchers to stay in an apartment. This year we are going in a caravan for 4 nights from 21/10/13 at Park Resorts Romney Sands near New Romney. Maybe if you are home and interested to do so, we could meet up. The wife's mobile number is 07947382794. She has hers on more than me with mine. We hope to travel on both the RH&D as well as the Kent and East Sussex Railway from Tenterden, as well as visiting some English Heritage site or sites such as 1 or more of the Kent castles and the NT garden at Sissinghurst, which we specially also enjoy.
NAME: Roger Nolan
DATE: 24th October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Following on from reply 9 above, I spent a delightful day yesterday with Jas Cowen and his wife Ayleen, reminiscing about QE in the early 1960's. Many thanks indeed to you Vic as it was your website which made the meeting possible.
DATE: 24th October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Following on from reply 9 above, I spent a delightful day yesterday with Jas Cowen and his wife Ayleen, reminiscing about QE in the early 1960's. Many thanks indeed to you Vic as it was your website which made the meeting possible.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 31 October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes, a pleasant afternoon was enjoyed talking with Roger in Kent and we have thanked him for his kind hospitality. Both being Borehamwood boys and both working for two of the larger chartered accounting firms we have a lot in common besides the QE connection, even though I was entering the 5th form when Roger came up for the first year. If any site contributors should be coming to our area and provided that we have not travelled away they would be welcome to receive hospitality from my wife and myself. Our mobile number is in my reply 9 and you can get out Ludgershall (Wilts) address and home phone number from the webmaster. Ex-Harrison guys, Borehamwood guys and accountants welcome of course as well as others. The invitation also goes to Roger, as there is much we were not able to chat about besides all we did say.
One of the things we did talk with Roger about was the old Home Of Rest For Horses in Borehamwood, where my brother and I used to visit on many a Sunday with my dad. This moved in 1975 to the Chilterns in Speen near Princes Risborough. OE readers may like to know on the internet there is a 1955 pathe mini video showing the buildings and horses prancing around as well as donkeys in the field. This was much enjoyed by me as a piece of nostalgia.
NOTE FROM VIC: But did you go on the RH&D while in Kent? (See reply 8).
Then & NowDATE: 31 October 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes, a pleasant afternoon was enjoyed talking with Roger in Kent and we have thanked him for his kind hospitality. Both being Borehamwood boys and both working for two of the larger chartered accounting firms we have a lot in common besides the QE connection, even though I was entering the 5th form when Roger came up for the first year. If any site contributors should be coming to our area and provided that we have not travelled away they would be welcome to receive hospitality from my wife and myself. Our mobile number is in my reply 9 and you can get out Ludgershall (Wilts) address and home phone number from the webmaster. Ex-Harrison guys, Borehamwood guys and accountants welcome of course as well as others. The invitation also goes to Roger, as there is much we were not able to chat about besides all we did say.
One of the things we did talk with Roger about was the old Home Of Rest For Horses in Borehamwood, where my brother and I used to visit on many a Sunday with my dad. This moved in 1975 to the Chilterns in Speen near Princes Risborough. OE readers may like to know on the internet there is a 1955 pathe mini video showing the buildings and horses prancing around as well as donkeys in the field. This was much enjoyed by me as a piece of nostalgia.
NOTE FROM VIC: But did you go on the RH&D while in Kent? (See reply 8).
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 06 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes,Vic,we did go on the RH&D railway when we were there but not on the Kent & East Sussex railway, as it was not open until the w/e and we returned home on the Friday. We enjoyed walks in Folkestone and round New Romney instead.
Then & NowDATE: 06 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Yes,Vic,we did go on the RH&D railway when we were there but not on the Kent & East Sussex railway, as it was not open until the w/e and we returned home on the Friday. We enjoyed walks in Folkestone and round New Romney instead.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 10 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Further to my 2nd reply above, I was in York this week and so took the opportunity to visit the current reassembly of the A4s. Photography was a little problematic as there was always someone with a carrier bag or rucksack wandering into the frame when you least wanted him (or her, it has to be said). However, here is a tiny sample. The gathering ends in the next few days, but the two North American visitors, plus, of course, the 'Mallard' will remain until February.
DATE: 10 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Further to my 2nd reply above, I was in York this week and so took the opportunity to visit the current reassembly of the A4s. Photography was a little problematic as there was always someone with a carrier bag or rucksack wandering into the frame when you least wanted him (or her, it has to be said). However, here is a tiny sample. The gathering ends in the next few days, but the two North American visitors, plus, of course, the 'Mallard' will remain until February.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 10 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Last Friday my wife and I went on the Epping & Ongar Railway. This was our first visit and indeed there are many other preseved lines and also narrow guage railways we have not been on. It is to be recommended for a full day out and for senior citizens a rover ticket is £11 each. I always thought that the line was a continuous trip up to Ongar via Epping before the Epping-Ongar section closed. Not so. You used to have to change trains at Epping. Now either a steam engine or diesel takes the train to North Weald 6½ miles away. There transfer is made to a m.u for a ride in to part of the forest but not as far as Epping yet. Road transport to Epping and the forest proper is by buses from the '50s era from either Ongar or North Weald when the trains are running. One bus was green and one red, one an RT and one an RTL. The conductor issues tickets with the old wind up machine and the restored seats took us back to our youth.
Then & NowDATE: 10 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Last Friday my wife and I went on the Epping & Ongar Railway. This was our first visit and indeed there are many other preseved lines and also narrow guage railways we have not been on. It is to be recommended for a full day out and for senior citizens a rover ticket is £11 each. I always thought that the line was a continuous trip up to Ongar via Epping before the Epping-Ongar section closed. Not so. You used to have to change trains at Epping. Now either a steam engine or diesel takes the train to North Weald 6½ miles away. There transfer is made to a m.u for a ride in to part of the forest but not as far as Epping yet. Road transport to Epping and the forest proper is by buses from the '50s era from either Ongar or North Weald when the trains are running. One bus was green and one red, one an RT and one an RTL. The conductor issues tickets with the old wind up machine and the restored seats took us back to our youth.
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 10 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I ventured out into the cold (6C) this morning to take a short video of rebuilt West Country Class 34046 'Braunton' pulling the 'Bluebell Explorer' through Riddlesdown, on the East Grinsted line. A Bonus was Black 5 44932 pushing at the rear (see YouTube). I'm off to Oxted later to photograph the engine turnaround - no doubt with many others!
DATE: 10 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I ventured out into the cold (6C) this morning to take a short video of rebuilt West Country Class 34046 'Braunton' pulling the 'Bluebell Explorer' through Riddlesdown, on the East Grinsted line. A Bonus was Black 5 44932 pushing at the rear (see YouTube). I'm off to Oxted later to photograph the engine turnaround - no doubt with many others!
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 21 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Unfortunately, Stephen, for those of us using the public library computers I was unable to view the video on You Tube either at Ludgershall (Wiltshire)or at Andover (Hampshire) but I hope those with home computers and laptops with Adobe flash player enjoyed them. I did enjoy the host of still photos of 34046 and 44932 both together and separately, as these were displayed O.K. It all seemed an exciting series of events. Thanks, Nick [reply 15] for those photos of the November Great Gathering in York Museum. One of the library volunteers and her husband from Ludgershall Library also went. I am jealous but have made so many away trips lately and hope to see the engines up in Darlington in February. I have been to York several times but not to Darlington. By the way what is this showing a picture of Battersea Power Station all about? Have you a brief to insert it somewhere just like the calling out of Mornington Crescent in I'm sorry I haven't a clue?
NOTE FROM VIC: Many public libraries block access to some or all social networking sites as a matter of policy. I understand that a recent Government report on how to improve public libraries recommends (among many other things) that all public library services should allow access to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Then & NowDATE: 21 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Unfortunately, Stephen, for those of us using the public library computers I was unable to view the video on You Tube either at Ludgershall (Wiltshire)or at Andover (Hampshire) but I hope those with home computers and laptops with Adobe flash player enjoyed them. I did enjoy the host of still photos of 34046 and 44932 both together and separately, as these were displayed O.K. It all seemed an exciting series of events. Thanks, Nick [reply 15] for those photos of the November Great Gathering in York Museum. One of the library volunteers and her husband from Ludgershall Library also went. I am jealous but have made so many away trips lately and hope to see the engines up in Darlington in February. I have been to York several times but not to Darlington. By the way what is this showing a picture of Battersea Power Station all about? Have you a brief to insert it somewhere just like the calling out of Mornington Crescent in I'm sorry I haven't a clue?
NOTE FROM VIC: Many public libraries block access to some or all social networking sites as a matter of policy. I understand that a recent Government report on how to improve public libraries recommends (among many other things) that all public library services should allow access to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
NAME: Nick Dean
DATE: 24 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Jas - regarding Battersea [message above], there was some discussion in the summer [in reply 6], about flower shows, in the course of which I mentioned that, as a prelude to its redevelopment, the power station site had been opened to visitors as part of the Chelsea Fringe. As it happens, there is a sort of railway connection because the Northern Line is due to be extended there from Kennington. Less tenuously, I was interested in your post about Epping/Ongar because I went there myself in June - indeed, for the first time ever, travelled beyond Newbury Park on the Central Line! I found time to stroll into Chipping Ongar, which, for a while in the 1980s, acquired an unasked for, and no doubt unfair, reputation for snootiness as the home of Penny Warrender's parents in Just Good Friends. (And talking, as you were, of 'ISIHAC', do you remember Willie Rushton's early '70s record, Neasden, with the couplet: "I travelled out to Ongar on the dear old Central Line/I even went to Ruislip in 1949"?). You no doubt have your own pics of the EOR, but I thought it might be worth adding to my gallery a trio taken at Ongar, North Weald and Epping.
DATE: 24 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
Jas - regarding Battersea [message above], there was some discussion in the summer [in reply 6], about flower shows, in the course of which I mentioned that, as a prelude to its redevelopment, the power station site had been opened to visitors as part of the Chelsea Fringe. As it happens, there is a sort of railway connection because the Northern Line is due to be extended there from Kennington. Less tenuously, I was interested in your post about Epping/Ongar because I went there myself in June - indeed, for the first time ever, travelled beyond Newbury Park on the Central Line! I found time to stroll into Chipping Ongar, which, for a while in the 1980s, acquired an unasked for, and no doubt unfair, reputation for snootiness as the home of Penny Warrender's parents in Just Good Friends. (And talking, as you were, of 'ISIHAC', do you remember Willie Rushton's early '70s record, Neasden, with the couplet: "I travelled out to Ongar on the dear old Central Line/I even went to Ruislip in 1949"?). You no doubt have your own pics of the EOR, but I thought it might be worth adding to my gallery a trio taken at Ongar, North Weald and Epping.
NAME: Paul Buckland
DATE: 24 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1962 - 1969
I have been fascinated by the photos of the 'Great Gathering' and also the YouTube clip of 'Braunton' at Riddlesdown. When I was about 7 my father, who worked as a Sales Rep for a large magazine company used to cover all the Main Line station bookstalls in London but also covered for a colleague at the station at Welwyn Garden City and frequently took me there after school. My memory is standing on the covered footbridge as the trains went underneath and the smoke seeped up through the floor slats. On sunday afternoons we would be taken trainspotting at the entrance to Hadley Tunnel and must have seen all those great engines passing by. Recently on the M27 near Southampton I passed a low-loader with Battle of Britain class 'MANSTON' heading west without any sign of the tender. I had relatives at Woldingham and have vivid recollections of steam trains on the East Grinstead branch which was, I believe saved from closure because Doctor Beeching lived near Forest Row, very close to EG.
DATE: 24 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1962 - 1969
I have been fascinated by the photos of the 'Great Gathering' and also the YouTube clip of 'Braunton' at Riddlesdown. When I was about 7 my father, who worked as a Sales Rep for a large magazine company used to cover all the Main Line station bookstalls in London but also covered for a colleague at the station at Welwyn Garden City and frequently took me there after school. My memory is standing on the covered footbridge as the trains went underneath and the smoke seeped up through the floor slats. On sunday afternoons we would be taken trainspotting at the entrance to Hadley Tunnel and must have seen all those great engines passing by. Recently on the M27 near Southampton I passed a low-loader with Battle of Britain class 'MANSTON' heading west without any sign of the tender. I had relatives at Woldingham and have vivid recollections of steam trains on the East Grinstead branch which was, I believe saved from closure because Doctor Beeching lived near Forest Row, very close to EG.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 29 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Ah yes,Nick [reply 17], I do remember that couplet of Willie Rushton's. I like the thought of travelling to new areas and way out places. I did have a friend, who was also a pastor who lived and died in Ongar and is buried in the local churchyard. I know the area quite well but have never before arrived on the train. There are certainly many houses around similar to Penny Warrender's parents in Just Good Friends but are there not nearly everywhere in the South of England and indeed in nearly every region? I am reminded of John Betjeman's Metroland and the BBC films and publications. Do the suburbs of Pinner, the Chalfonts and out to Aylesbury vary a lot from the Rodings and Ongar? I do remember more built up areas like Ruislip and Neasden from my old auditing days. Like Willie I have even gone to those places too. In recent days I have also revisited other places with memories of earlier schooldays - Potters Bar and Broxbourne as well as Borehamwood and Barnet.
I have sent in some steam photos of my own, maybe some of which Vic will deem worthy of inclusion, even if not as distinguished event as The Great Gathering. My recent visits besides the RH&D railway, the Ongar and Epping railway and the last Severn Valley (Autumn) gala, which I have referred to above or elsewhere also includes visiting the Bluebell line at Sheffield Park on the way back from Kent. It is a magnificent achievement by the Bluebell railway staff and volunteeers to get the line connected to East Grinstead again and I am glad the financial contribution I made helped towards this.
Then & NowDATE: 29 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Ah yes,Nick [reply 17], I do remember that couplet of Willie Rushton's. I like the thought of travelling to new areas and way out places. I did have a friend, who was also a pastor who lived and died in Ongar and is buried in the local churchyard. I know the area quite well but have never before arrived on the train. There are certainly many houses around similar to Penny Warrender's parents in Just Good Friends but are there not nearly everywhere in the South of England and indeed in nearly every region? I am reminded of John Betjeman's Metroland and the BBC films and publications. Do the suburbs of Pinner, the Chalfonts and out to Aylesbury vary a lot from the Rodings and Ongar? I do remember more built up areas like Ruislip and Neasden from my old auditing days. Like Willie I have even gone to those places too. In recent days I have also revisited other places with memories of earlier schooldays - Potters Bar and Broxbourne as well as Borehamwood and Barnet.
I have sent in some steam photos of my own, maybe some of which Vic will deem worthy of inclusion, even if not as distinguished event as The Great Gathering. My recent visits besides the RH&D railway, the Ongar and Epping railway and the last Severn Valley (Autumn) gala, which I have referred to above or elsewhere also includes visiting the Bluebell line at Sheffield Park on the way back from Kent. It is a magnificent achievement by the Bluebell railway staff and volunteeers to get the line connected to East Grinstead again and I am glad the financial contribution I made helped towards this.
20th REPLY
NAME: Nigel Wood.jpg "Nigel Wood")
DATE: 30 November 2013
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
I tread gingerly and respectfully on the ground (tracks?) of proper railway buffs, but I feel I must announce publicly that Dr Beeching was a ... Physicist. He wrote quite a good monograph on electron diffraction, but that doesn't excuse his subsequent career of butchery. His living in Forest Row, and dying in the hospital in East Grinstead, add further irony to the name given to a stretch of inner bypass in EG - Beeching Way. To my shame I've driven it many times, though I believe it follows the track of an axed branch line which went to T Wells. I stand to be corrected.
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