| The Buffers Club Newsletter Based on the print edition produced by Geoff Chandler |
| December 2002 |
| Issue No. 201 |
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| Seasonal Greetings |
| An appropriate picture for a made in Canada Greeting to all members and friends of the Buffers and a wish for health and prosperity in 2003. A Canadian National Railways Northern Class 4-8-4 6218 hauls a special train from Toronto to London via Stratford in the winter of 1969/70. The picture was taken in northeast Middlesex County near the intersection of County Roads 16 and 27 on a bitterly cold day (but it was worth it!). Unfortunately, other pictures taken around that never-to-be-repeated moment have disappeared with the passage of time. Photograph: Geoff Chandler |
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As mentioned in the November News-letter, this enlarged issue commemorates the 20th year of our group. On this occasion it seems appropriate to include planes, trains, automobiles and water craft in recognition of the variety of transportation interests that our membership has. At our November meeting, Richard Hobby, who delivered a fine slide presentation on aircraft, all of which now fall into the historic category, told the group during his discussion that his two favourite aircraft were the Vickers Vanguard and Vickers VC-10. In recognition of this, the pictures (taken by Geoff Chandler) bellow firstly depict an Air Canada Vanguard at London, Ontario in the spring of 1970 and secondly, a British United Airways Vickers VC-10 at Toronto in December 1970: |
| News |
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| Apologies to Ed Spencer in that, due to time contraints, we were unable to accommodate his slide show. It is hoped that Ed will be available to present the show at our December meeting. Thank you to William Bickley for displaying a module illustrating track geometry for his proposed exhibition layout. As will be seen from our letterhead, Andrew Hopkins has been recognized as our Web Administrator. Andrew has been in charge of the development and maintenance of The Buffers web site for several years. Web site duties aside, Andrew's modeling interests currently include the construction (in plastic) of a model Midland Railway (LMS) goods shed. This was on display at our meeting. In addition to all these activities, a lively round-table discussion took place during the meeting. THE ROAD AHEAD: Our December meeting will be on the 7th at the usual Elliott Street location, 13:00 to 16:30. As has been the tradition at past December meetings, members have brought modest amounts of seasonal fayre for refreshment during the afternoon. Tea and biscuits will, as usual, be made available. Members are also asked to bring models, old or new, along for display and discussion. Video and slide equipment will be on hand. From time to time, The Platelayers Society publishes a list of upcoming events in its magazine, The Coupling. When the opportunity arises, the list is made available through this Newsletter. Your writer recently requested through Philip Insull, our contact at The Platelayers Society, that an updated schedule be provided. The present list goes up to and includes November 23/24 (the Toronto Christmas Train Show). Phillip advised that this is being worked on. As members know, flyers are also included with your Newsletter, from time to time. LOCOMOTIVES I WISH I HAD KNOWN: Details of the item appearing under the heading ‘Locomotives I Wish I Had Known' your writer earlier discussed with Allan Mearns two pictures from the John Mason collection that depict Raven Pacific 2404 City of Ripon leaving York. Allan kindly provided information, some of which is included in this feature. At the same time, he suggested the Newsletter feature ‘Locomotives I Wish I Had Known' from time to time. Interested members are asked to submit an appropriate photograph with general information that can be developed by your writer. EAST PORTAL, SAPPERTON TUNNEL (1,864 yards long) Gloucestershire. Opened in 1845, the Swindon (Kemble)/Gloucester line, built to broad gauge standards by the Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railway, is now host to HSTs and Class 150s. The line is also used as a diversion to South Wales if the Severn Tunnel is closed. Photo taken by Geoff Chandler circa 1955. |
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| LES TORRENS, FOUNDER OF THE BUFFERS LES, who served with the RCAF in England during World War II, made twenty-seven private visits to Britain mainly in connection with his hobby and railway interests, his last visit being about 1997. The following pictures from The Buffers collection depict Les enjoying breakfast in a restored Pullman car at the Puffing Billy Motel, Sunderland and as a ‘trainee driver' at London Transport's Victoria bus garage and servicing area. |
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| LOCOMOTIVES I WISH I HAD KNOWN IN the dying days of the North-Eastern Railway (NER), Sir Vincent Raven, Chief Mechanical Engineer, introduced a locomotive that, in your writer's view, was decidedly Edwardian in appearance particularly when compared with Nigel Gresley's A-1 Pacifics (later A-3) that were being introduced by the Great Northern Railway and were to be produced in quantity by the London North-Eastern Railway (LNER). The following photographs, from the collection of John Mason, illustrate, in both cases, Raven Pacific No. 2404 City of Ripon going north from York. City of Ripon was built by the LNER in March 1924 and was the only member of the Class to receive an A-1 boiler (in September 1929). An additional up-grade was in the form of an eight-wheeled LNER tender in January 1935. The locomotive was withdrawn in September 1937. These pictures, therefore, were taken after September 1929 and before January 1935. Other locomotives in the Class were as follows: 2400 - City of Newcastle (built NER 1922, withdrawn 1937) 2401 - City of Kingston upon Hull (built NER 1922, withdrawn 1936) 2402 - City of York (built LNER 1924, withdrawn 1936) 2403 - City of Durham (built LNER1924, withdrawn 1937) |
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| Fun and Games |
| Click for a British Rail "Cryptic Quiz" This was created by Member Dennis Littler. Let us know how you did. |