The Buffers

Founded by  Les Torrens    (1923 - 2000)

Established in 1982, the Buffers is a group of  transport enthusiasts living in Southern Ontario, which meets for their enjoyment of British railway and other transport modelling.

Classic Travel Geoff Chandler and a friend visited Bournemouth sometime in 1957. Among other seaside activities, time out was taken at Bournemouth sheds where  his circa 1953 Norton 500cc motor cycle is pictured along with West Country Class 34094 ' Mortehoe'.

Toronado . The Britannia Class Locomotive in Eric Bottomley's painting is , 70022 Toronado. Below is a picture of that locomotive taken by Geoff Chandler while train spotting in the summer of 1952.

The name Toronado, as readers will be aware, is the name of the new Locomotive being built by the A1 Locomotive trust at Darlington works. This locomotive which will retain the characteristics of the class, but will incorporate many modifications for ease of maintenace, economy and general efficiency. Construction commenced in 1990 and is expected to emerge from the works in 2003. The name Toronado was chosen several years ago and nameplates, already complete, were commisioned by the Royal Air Force.

This Bullied Pacific was constructed at Brighton 1949-50, was never rebuilt as many other of the class were. Other classsic travel of the day would have been a paddle steamer across the Solent and down Southapton water with a ride through the then unfenced and relatively traffic free New Forest.

Radstock 1952 The Somerset and Dorset Joint raiway's locomotives were not incorporated into LMS stock until 1930. At the time of incorporation, 80 were transfered to the LMS which included two 0-4-0 Sentinels built for the railway in 1929. These were the last locomotives built for the S&DJR. Photographed at Radstock ( a sub-shed of Bath) are the two Locomtives with their BR numbers, 47190 and 47191. These locomotives were used for colliery work in the then Somerset Coalfield and shared shed space with several 0-6-0 Jinties at the shed.

About a dozen 2P's where allocated to the line  in the 1950's. Here one is shown with the a Bournemouth-Bath local leaving Radstock.. They gave over 40yrs of service on the S&D line.

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