'Next Meeting' Banner Advert Archive

– – – 2025 – – –

Reference archive of 'Next Meeting' banner adverts from the home page.

Banner ad archives: 2025 – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015

Note: the '(directions)' link within the banners will not work from this page.

INCOMPLETE OFFLINE EDIT (dd mmm) – placeholder.

"Comment placeholder" (dd mmm) – Speaker – no email address.


TEMP NOTE:
Entry for 8th July (2022?) has new and improved sections.
Create a new banner template from this.


Twitter text source:
Incorporating an ellipsis: (more…) and an N-dash: –

dd mmm 2025
Template: Title – Speaker

UPDATE THIS: Photo caption:
"Description. (Photographer – Date – via Wikimedia Commons)"

UPDATE THIS: ALT text:
"ALT text."

Image from Wikimedia Commons – Source caption:
[text of source caption]
(Photographer – Date – Geograph [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

dd MONTH 2025

Title

Sub-title

Speaker

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A wooden, single-storey, Victorian building with large windows, in GWR colours.

The Slough & Windsor Railway Society meets on Friday evenings at The Manor, by Slough railway station, from about 7:15pm. The meeting is open to all, not just members. It usually features an illustrated talk on the subject of railways or some other transport-related theme, often presented by a visiting speaker (see programme page for details). There is a small admission charge to cover costs.

Details of this week's talk will be updated here soon.

placeholder

Photo: 'The Manor', the SWRS meeting place adjacent to Slough Station.

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

20 Jun 2025
The Changing Face of The Berks & Hants Line: Reading to Newbury – David Canning

  • Additional notes:
  • David Canning gave a talk "Over 60 years of Railway Photography" on 21st June 2024
  • Contacted by email early June 2025.

Photo caption:
"GWR 4-6-0 No. 7018 'Drysllwyn Castle' heading through Newbury with the Down 11:30 Paddington-Penzance express – sometime in the 1960s (David Canning)"

Photo ALT text:
"A large Great Western Railway steam locomotive hauling an express passenger train at speed through a provincial station. "

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

20 Jun 2025

The Changing Face of The Berks & Hants Line

– Reading to Newbury

David Canning

7:15pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)
Note new earlier start time.

A large Great Western Railway steam locomotive hauling an express passenger train at speed through a provincial station.

The GWR route from Reading to Taunton was completed in 1906, to provide faster direct services from Paddington to Devon and Cornwall (avoiding the much longer route via Bristol). The first section – Reading to Westbury – is often known as the Berks and Hants Line, despite it never entering the county of Hampshire.

David Canning is a railway enthusiast and career railwayman. After working as a press photographer, David joined BR as a signalman in 1967 until retirement in 2004. Continuing to enjoy his life-long interest in photographing trains, David and his wife have been documenting the history of the Berks and Hants Line over the past 50 years.

Photo: "GWR 4-6-0 No. 7018 'Drysllwyn Castle' heading through Newbury with the Down 11:30 Paddington-Penzance express – sometime in the 1960s (David Canning)"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday meetings are now starting at the earlier time of 7:15pm.
(They will also finish earlier!) The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm.

13 Jun 2025
Yank Tanks – John H Bird

  • Additional notes:
  • A John Bird gave a talk "Southern Steam" on 8th June 2018
  • Don't know if it's the same person. Didn't contact by email at the time
  • Contacted via https://www.anistr.com (Railway Images UK).

Photo caption:
"Southern Railway 'USA' Class 72 0-6-0T in Eastleigh Works Yard at an Open Day in August 1964. Later based at Guildford Shed, 30072 was the last one, surviving on BR until July 1967. – 05 August 1964 (Ben Brooksbank / Ex-US Army 0-6-0T at Eastleigh Works Yard / [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)"

Photo ALT text:
"Archive photo of a compact six-coupled tank locomotive sitting in a yard."

Image from Geograph via Wikimedia Commons –
Source caption: "Ex-US Army 0-6-0T at Eastleigh Works Yard
Seen on the occasion of an Open Day (note the small boys) in August 1964, No. 30072 is a late survivor of the hundred or so American wartime 'switchers' brought over by the US Army in 1942-43 for subsequent use on the Continent after the Liberation but before D-Day were employed at Depots or stored in Britain. After the War, in 1946 14 were purchased by the SR for use at Southampton Docks, numbered 61-74 (BR 30061-74); No. 30072 had been USA Transportation Corps No. 1973, built by Vulcan in 1943: it survived on BR until 7/67 and was the last one. – Ben Brooksbank: 05 August 1964".
Ben Brooksbank / Ex-US Army 0-6-0T at Eastleigh Works Yard / [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

13 Jun 2025

Yank Tanks

– from luxury travel to warplanes

John H Bird

7:15pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)
Note new earlier start time.

Archive photo of a compact six-coupled tank locomotive sitting in a yard.

The story of the American-built 0-6-0Ts supplied to Europe in WW2 and in particular how 14 (15) of them ended as the property of the Southern Railway, and half of those are now part of the UK preservation story.

John Bird is a life-long railway enthusiast and photographer, and author of several books about the steam locomotives of the Southern Railway.

John also runs the online photo archive Railway Images UK, a searchable library of 1000s of pictures.

Photo: "Southern Railway 'USA' Class 72 0-6-0T in Eastleigh Works Yard at an Open Day in August 1964. Later based at Guildford Shed, 30072 was the last one, surviving on BR until July 1967. – 05 August 1964 (Ben Brooksbank / Ex-US Army 0-6-0T at Eastleigh Works Yard / [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday meetings are now starting at the earlier time of 7:15pm.
(They will also finish earlier!) The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm.

06 Jun 2025
By 'Super D' to Barry Island (Part 3) – Ken Mumford

  • [Research notes]:
  • Ken's previous visits: 24th April 2015, and before records were kept.
  • Ken sent some material for Part 1 but the images were not suitable.
  • Part 1 – 14 Jun 2024. Part 2 – 20 Sep 2024. Part 3 – 6 Jun 2024.

Photo caption:
"An unidentified 'Super D' entering Albion Station, heading along the Stour Valley line in the Wolverhampton direction. – 1st January 1960. – Original photo by the late John Evans, copyright 2010, The Steve Jones Collection. – [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons"

Photo ALT text:
"1960 view of an 0-8-0 steam locomotive, normally used for freight, hauling a passenger train through an industrial landscape"

Image from Wikimedia Commons –
Source caption: "An unidentified 'Super D' entering Albion Station, heading along the Stour Valley line in the Wolverhampton direction. The train is just about to cross Union Road level crossing. No trace of the station remains today, although the site can easily be identified by the two canal bridges. – 1st January 1960 Original photo by the late John Evans, copyright 2010 The Steve Jones Collection. –
[CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons"

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

06 Jun 2025

By 'Super D' to Barry Island

(Part 3)

Ken Mumford

7:15pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)
Note new earlier start time.

1960 view of an 0-8-0 steam locomotive, normally used for freight, hauling a passenger train through an industrial landscape

An 0-8-0 freight loco would seem an unlikely choice of motive power for a passenger train, but this did sometimes happen. Ken Mumford has been researching one such working in his native South Wales: a summer Sunday train from Brynmawr to the seaside resort of Barry Island.

The six-coach train, hauled by a 'Super D'*, took a circuitous route via Tredegar, Blackwood, Pontllanfraith, Hengoed (High Level), Ystrad Mynach, Aber Junction, Penrhos Junction, Walnut Tree Viaduct, Wenvoe, and Cadaxton.

This third illustrated talk continues from Part 2, looking at the long journey that passed many places of interest and used lines mostly now closed or built over.

* 'Super D' was the nickname given to the London & North Western Railway's various 0-8-0 freight locomotives, particularly the G2 Class built 1921-2.

Photo: "An unidentified 'Super D' entering Albion Station, heading along the Stour Valley line in the Wolverhampton direction. – 1st January 1960. – Original photo by the late John Evans, copyright 2010, The Steve Jones Collection. – [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday meetings are now starting at the earlier time of 7:15pm.
(They will also finish earlier!) The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm.

30 May 2025
Strictly Freight Only (Part 2) – Brian Ringer

Notes and photo provided by Brian.
Part 2 copied from Part 1 (19 July 2024) with slight tweaks.

Model Railway for Part 1 (suggested):

  1. Collett 0-6-0 (eg) with wagon-load freight
  2. 9F or 2-8-0 with Shell-BP bogie oil tanks (inc barrier wagons)
  3. (branch) London Transport Pannier with engineering wagons

Model Railway for Part 1 (actual):

  1. Michael's A4 'Mallard' with CEMFLO train
  2. 9F 'Evening Star' with BR bogie flats + Conflat L's (x3)
  3. (branch) Matt's 14xx with milk train (3x 6w tank wagons +Toad)

Model Railway for Part 2 (suggested):

  1. Large Logo (Scottie) 37 with Speedlink freight
  2. Yeoman 59 with Yeoman hoppers (or) Green 50 with container train
  3. (branch) Blue 08 with couple of TTAs

Model Railway for Part 2 (actual):

  1. BR Blue 47 421 with the four (boxed) 45T wagons: 3x VDA, 1x OBA
  2. Yeoman 59 with Yeoman hoppers
  3. (branch) - nothing - arrived too late and had to operate presentation

ALT text:
"A boxy diesel locomotive hauls a train of bogie oil tank wagons through a modern passenger station in South Wales."

Photo caption:
"DB Class 60 No. 60020 passing Newport High Street station on the 0500 Robeston to Westerleigh Murco oil tanks – April 2014 – Brian Ringer"

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

30 May 2025

Strictly Freight Only (Part 2)

Brian Ringer

7:15pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)
Note new earlier start time.

A boxy diesel locomotive hauls a train of bogie oil tank wagons through a modern passenger station in South Wales.

Strictly Freight Only is an illustrated two-part presentation looking at the history of British rail freight over the past 70 years. It charts the changes to both the traffic and customers and how this affected the railway industry, along with the changing method of operating freight trains and their traction.

Part 1 looked at the steam-hauled era of British Railways, and the subsequent modernisation plans. Part 2 continues the story through the diesel and electric period and the transformation from BR to the privatised rail companies.

Brian Ringer worked in the rail industry for over thirty years, nearly all his career was connected with freight traffic. Starting as a British Rail management trainee in 1975 it concluded working for the Strategic Rail Authority in 2005.

Photo: DB Class 60 No. 60020 passing Newport High Street station on the 0500 Robeston to Westerleigh Murco oil tanks – April 2014 – Brian Ringer

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday meetings are now starting at the earlier time of 7:15pm.
(They will also finish earlier!) The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm.

23 May 2025
When the Railways came to Guildford – Geoff Burch

  • [Research notes] – previous visits:
  • 23rd May 2025 – "When the Railways came to Guildford" (see email 10 Feb 2025)
  • 17th May 2024 – "Railway Accidents and Incidents"
  • 9th June 2023 – "Rambling Railwayman's Recollections"
  • 10th June 2022 – "The Ramblings of a Railwayman"

Photo caption:
"Guildford Station in the 1950s. A former Southern Railway EMU, forming an express Portsmouth to Waterloo service, is flanked by 1897-built ex-LSWR Drummond '700' class 0-6-0 no. 30700, and 1942-built SR Bulleid Q1 class 0-6-0 no. 33019. – 01 April 1958 (Ben Brooksbank – Geograph [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)"

Photo ALT text:
"Guildford station in the 1950s, showing the Victorian station building and many platforms and canopies, with the town, and gas works, beyond. An electric multiple unit sits at one platform, and a couple of 0-6-0 tender steam locomotives, spanning 50 years of loco design, rest on nearby tracks."

Image from Geograph via Wikimedia Commons –
Source caption: "South end of Guildford Station.
General view NW from a road bridge: the ex-LSW major station on the lines London (Waterloo) - Portsmouth (via Woking or Cobham); Aldershot, Reading etc. - Redhill; also ex-LB&SC to Horsham. In the foreground is ex-LSW Drummond '700' class 0-6-0 No. 30700 (built 5/1897, withdrawn 11/62); in the centre is an Up Portsmouth - Waterloo EMU express; beyond is SR Bulleid wartime Q1 class 0-6-0 No. 33019 (built 5/42 as No. C19, withdrawn 12/63). – Ben Brooksbank: 01 April 1958".
[CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Not YET publicised on (IG/Google) social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook –– Google My Business ––
Not used this time: ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

23 May 2025

When the Railways came to Guildford

(Tales of a former Southern Region steam locomotive driver.)

Geoff Burch

7:15pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)
Note new earlier start time.

Guildford station in the 1950s, showing the Victorian station building and many platforms and canopies, with the town, and gas works, beyond. An electric multiple unit sits at one platform, and a couple of 0-6-0 tender steam locomotives, spanning 50 years of loco design, rest on nearby tracks.

Geoff has joined forces with well-known Guildford historian, David Rose, to create this new illustrated talk. The 180-year history covers the coming of the railway to Guildford in 1845, the impact of railways on the town, and the various forms of traction from steam to the diesels and electrics of the present day. A tremendous selection of previously unseen photographs are included.

Geoff is a railwayman of broad experience, going back to BR steam days when he started out as an Engine Cleaner and Fireman at Guildford Motive Power Depot (70C) from 1961 to 1967. This was followed by a move to more modern forms of traction as Secondman and Passed Secondman at Woking MT leading to his Driving days at Effingham Junction and Woking MT.

Geoff then went on to become a Senior Instructor at Waterloo South Side Training School and finally, Training Design Manager at South West Trains Operations Safety Training Centre at Basingstoke.

This is a welcome return visit to the Manor for Geoff, as he has given us presentations on a number of previous occasions. He is a great speaker, so this will be a very entertaining and informative evening.

Photo: Guildford Station in the 1950s. A former Southern Railway EMU, forming an express Portsmouth to Waterloo service, is flanked by 1897-built ex-LSWR Drummond '700' class 0-6-0 no. 30700, and 1942-built SR Bulleid Q1 class 0-6-0 no. 33019. – 01 April 1958 (Ben Brooksbank – Geograph [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday meetings are now starting at the earlier time of 7:15pm.
(They will also finish earlier!) The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm.

16 May 2025
21st Century Steam – John Day

Note earlier start time.
This was first meeting since the 2025 AGM vote to start meetings earlier, that the new times were actually put into practice. Now meet 19:15, for talk starting at 19:30.
Unfortunately, this was decided at the Committee meeting that followed the website update that afternoon...

  • Research notes:
  • Details emailed by John, 11th May 2025. (Initial contact via 'info', Jan/Feb)

Photo caption:
"GWR King Class 4-6-0 6024 'King Edward I' departs Bristol Temple Meads as the 1Z27 09:10 to Kingswear on 30th May 2010. [John Day]"

ALT text:
"A large, preserved steam locomotive hauling an excursion train threads its way along the twisty tracks leading away from a major city station."

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

16 May 2025

21st Century Steam

– an enthusiast's perspective

John Day

7:15pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)
Note new earlier start time.

A large, preserved steam locomotive hauling an excursion train threads its way along the twisty tracks leading away from a major city station.

John Day is a lifelong railway enthusiast, brought up with steam from the early 1950s. Having seen pretty well all running BR steam by the time steam finished in 1968 he took a step back, although not losing interest completely, until the early 1980s. Then, with family and work commitments out of the way, interest was rekindled and he started photographing all aspects of railways and railway operations.

"21st Century Steam" showcases steam working on the main lines and heritage railways in the UK, in the USA, China, Ukraine, and around Europe, with a number of interesting – but personal – cameos along the way.

Photo: "GWR King Class 4-6-0 6024 'King Edward I' departs Bristol Temple Meads as the 1Z27 09:10 to Kingswear on 30th May 2010. [John Day]"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Friday meetings are now starting at the earlier time of 7:15pm.
They will also finish earlier! The talk will now begin at 7:30pm.

09 May 2025
Railways of South Wales – Stephen Bigley

  • Research notes:
  • Details emailed by Richard, 27th February 2025.

Photo caption:
"A Freightliner class 66 on a train of empty stone wagons returning to Machen Quarry crosses the Ebbw River near Bassaleg over one of the oldest railway viaducts in the world, built 1826 by the horse-worked Rumney (sic) Railway. [2 December 2024 – Stephen Bigley]"

ALT text:
"A modern diesel locomotive hauls a train of bogie mineral wagons over an almost 200-year-old stone, arched river bridge."

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

09 May 2025

Railways of
South Wales

– an enthusiast's perspective

Stephen Bigley

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A modern diesel locomotive hauls a train of bogie mineral wagons over an almost 200-year-old stone, arched river bridge.

The history of the railways of South Wales is unlike that of any other area in the UK. Instead of companies gradually merging or being taken over by larger players, most of the lines were promoted by local companies ‐ such as the Taff Vale or the Rhymney ‐ which ferociously fought one another and maintained their independence until take over by the GWR was forced on them after the First World War.

The coal mining that supported that network has now gone but that history has left numerous reminders of closed railways from an era when almost every valley had its own line. Whilst we will see some trains, mostly we be looking at infrastructure such as bridges (and remains of bridges), stations (open and closed), and track formations.

Photo: "A Freightliner class 66 on a train of empty stone wagons returning to Machen Quarry crosses the Ebbw River near Bassaleg over one of the oldest railway viaducts in the world, built 1826 by the horse-worked Rumney (sic) Railway. [2 December 2024 – Stephen Bigley]"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

02 May 2025
Inter City 125 High Speed Trains – an enthusiast's perspective – Richard Morris

  • Research notes:
  • Details emailed by Richard, 27th April 2025.

Photo caption:
"IC125 power car 43162 has arrived at Cheltenham Spa on the very last HST run: the 1818 from London Paddington on 18th May 2019. Photo: Richard Morris"

ALT text:
"Close-up of an HST power car, standing at a railway station platform."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] - Instagram Failed - Facebook succeeded but forgot to grab link
Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

02 May 2025

Inter City 125
High Speed Trains

– an enthusiast's perspective

Richard Morris

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

Close-up of an HST power car, standing at a railway station platform.

The High Speed Trains were launched with a prototype in 1975 leading to a significant production build that remained in front line service for 43 years. They served the Western Region, Eastern Region and Midland Main Line, as well as Cross Country services. Even now some units survive working class 2 trains in Devon and Cornwall and across Scotland.

This evening is an enthusiast's perspective of these iconic trains, which served the country so well for so long.

The second half will be an 'out and about', mostly from 2023. Hopefully there should be something for everyone: Great Western steam, little bit about a holiday in Germany (all modern traction), all sorts of other trains around the national network, and some heritage railways in the UK.

Photo: "IC125 power car 43162 has arrived at Cheltenham Spa on the very last HST run: the 1818 from London Paddington on 18th May 2019. Photo: Richard Morris"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

25 Apr 2025
Ashford to Hastings Revisited – Dick Crane

  • Research notes:
  • Details emailed by Richard/Dick, 2nd-7th March 2025.

Photo caption:
"Southern Class 171 2-car DMU, set no. 171 729, calls at Appledore in 2022 working between Ashford - Hastings - Eastbourne. Photo: Dick Crane"

ALT text:
"A modern diesel multiple unit calls at an almost-deserted rural railway station."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

25 Apr 2025

Ashford to Hastings Revisited

(railway video extracts)

Dick Crane

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A modern diesel multiple unit calls at an almost-deserted rural railway station.

A presentation featuring the railway scene past and present at Ashford and Hastings, with pictures from the early 1900s through to 2025 along the once-threatened branch line between the two rail centres.

More recently known as the 'Marshlink Line', the non-electrified branch is a small oasis of diesel traction in otherwise Southern third-rail territory.

Photo: "Southern Class 171 2-car DMU, set no. 171 729, calls at Appledore in 2022 working between Ashford - Hastings - Eastbourne. Photo: Dick Crane"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

18 Apr 2025
Train-spotting: 2024-Style – Matt Francis

  • Research notes:
  • Details emailed by Matt, 7th April 2025.

Photo caption:
"SWRS Vice-Chairman Matt Francis photographing his favourite, rebuilt Merchant Navy Bulleid Pacific no. 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.', at Toddington on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, 5th April 2025. Image Credit: James Taviner"

ALT text:
"An enthusiast taking a photo of a large steam locomotive at a heritage railway station.."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

18 Apr 2025

>> Programme Change <<

Train-spotting:
2024-Style

(railway video extracts)

Matt Francis

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

An enthusiast taking a photo of a large steam locomotive at a heritage railway station.

A slide-show of pictures and video footage of Matt's train-spotting exploits from the last 18 months. There will be highlights from the mainline, featuring steam, diesel, and electric traction, together with some heritage railway steam events that he has attended.

As well as being SWRS Vice-Chairman, and organiser of the SWRS Model Railway Exhibition (25th-26th October), Matt's job and hobbies allow many opportunities for rail travel at home and abroad. He enjoys sharing his spotting adventures on social media, and you can follow him on Instagram (@mattsmaritimeandrail), Facebook, and YouTube.

NOTE: We had hoped to welcome back Paul Joyce this evening, for some "Reading Railways", as advertised, but technical difficulties mean this must wait for another day. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Photo: "SWRS Vice-Chairman Matt Francis photographing his favourite, rebuilt Merchant Navy Bulleid Pacific no. 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.', at Toddington on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, 5th April 2025. Image Credit: James Taviner"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

11 Apr 2025 –
Slough & Windsor Railway Society – Annual General Meeting

  • Photo for Social Media:
    use the PRJ photo of No. 3 (DSCF1661.JPG) from SWRS Middleton Trip, 2015.
  • [ALT text]:
    "A small 0-6-0 steam locomotive in front of a wooded countryside background.
    [Full caption]: 1924-built Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST "Slough Estates No.3" simmers gently at the far end of the Middleton Railway in Leeds, October 2015 (Photo: Peter Jewell)"

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used for AGM: Google My Business, ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

11 April 2025

Slough & Windsor Railway Society
Annual General Meeting

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

Hybrid Zoom meeting *

All members are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

Further details may be found here.

If the official business is concluded by half-time, in the second half we can enjoy watching a DVD, or something, on the big screen; however, there are plenty of important matters to discuss...

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

* This will be a 'hybrid' Zoom evening: the meeting will take place at The Manor, and everyone is encouraged to attend in person; but for those who are unable to do so, the presentation will also be shared via the Zoom video conferencing software: please contact Frank Taylor to take part.

Unfortunately, the meeting will not be available online via Zoom, this year. Efforts are in hand to once more provide Zoom access to occasional Friday meetings, but there are financial and administrative considerations.

04 Apr 2025
After the Grouping – Jeremy Harrison

  • Research notes:
  • See previous entries and email March 2025 about this talk

Photo caption:
"LMS Hughes 5P 4-6-0 10474, heading a train of the latest coaches, participating in the Cavalcade at the Darlington Railway Centenary Exhibition, 2nd July 1925. Image Credit: LCGB/NRM Ken Nunn Collection"

ALT text:
"Archive photo from 1925, showing a smart 4-6-0 tender steam locomotive and some contemporary, wooden-panelled, coaches."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

04 Apr 2025

After the Grouping

(railway video extracts)

Jeremy Harrison

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

Archive photo from 1925, showing a smart 4-6-0 tender steam locomotive and some contemporary, wooden-panelled, coaches.

Jeremy Harrison presents a selection of images from the LCGB/NRM Ken Nunn collection, covering the period 1923-1929.

It is over 100 years since the 1923 Grouping, when most of the railways of Great Britain were amalgamated into the 'Big Four' – the greatest reorganisation they had suffered in their first century, which was marked by the Railway Century Exhibition at Darlington in 1925.

Tonight's presentation looks at Britain's railways between 1923 and 1929, as the multitude of preceding companies were reorganised into the four systems which most of us are familiar with – a process which did not always go smoothly.

Photo: "LMS Hughes 5P 4-6-0 10474, heading a train of the latest coaches, participating in the Cavalcade at the Darlington Railway Centenary Exhibition, 2nd July 1925."
Image Credit: LCGB/NRM Ken Nunn Collection

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

28 Mar 2025
35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. – Chris Ardy

  • Research notes:
  • Chris Ardy returned a good set of notes (see below), plus a photo, which was cropped partly to remove a photographer's arm, but partly just to make the photo larger on the website. (Facebook will possibly use a different crop.)
    • I am a life-long railway enthusiast, starting in 1953 when I spotted my first loco, 35006, pulling an up train over the bridge over the A30 west of Honiton. We were going on holiday to Devon. I was then a keen trainspotter until 1968 when steam ended on BR.
    • I rekindled my interest in the 1980's when I joined the GW Society at Didcot. Since then I have supported other railway ventures and and am a shareholder in the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and the Bluebell Railway amongst others. I am a volunteer at the GWSR in the Loco Department.
    • I have also supported engine restorations and new builds. I have been a supporter of the A1 Trust since the early 1990s and a support crew member on Tornado from 2008 to date. I also coordinate all the the talks for the Trust and give some of the talks.
    • I have been a shareholder and member of the 35006 Loco Preservation Society since the Mid 1990s and a Director of the 35006 Loco Co. since 2012. I have been involved in running the sales stall for the Society since about 2010 to date.
    • My talk will cover the history of the loco, its restoration and operation from 2014.

Photo caption:
"Rebuilt Merchant Navy Bulleid Pacific no. 35006, Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co., on a passenger service at the May 2016 gala on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. – 28 May 2016 [Photo:Chris Ardy]"

ALT text:
"A large steam locomotive with smoke deflectors, in shiny ex-works condition, hauls a passenger train past a semaphore signal on a rural heritage railway."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

28 Mar 2025

35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.

(railway video extracts)

Chris Ardy

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A large steam locomotive with smoke deflectors, in shiny ex-works condition, hauls a passenger train past a semaphore signal on a rural heritage railway.

35006 "Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co." is a Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 steam locomotive, designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway, and built at Eastleigh locomotive works in December 1941.

The loco has been part of Chris's life since 1953: on the way to a family holiday, the sight of 35006 hauling a train across the A30 near Honiton started a life-long enthusiasm for railways.

Chris's talk will cover the history of the loco, its restoration, and operation from 2014.

Along with "Clan Line" it was one of the last two of the class to be rebuilt, in October 1959.Withdrawn in 1964, 35006 languished at Woodham's Scrapyard, Barry until 1983, when it was move to Toddington on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. A lengthy restoration followed, including construction of a new tender, and 35006 finally returned to steam in 2015.

Chris Ardy was an avid trainspotter until the end of steam on BR. His interest was rekindled in the 1980s, and he is now a volunteer on the GWSR, in the loco department, and a member of the support crew for Tornado. Chris is a shareholder and director of the 35006 Loco Preservation Society, and also runs its sales stand!

Photo: "Rebuilt Merchant Navy Bulleid Pacific no. 35006, Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co., on a passenger service at the May2016 gala on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.
– 28 May 2016 [Photo:Chris Ardy]"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

14 Mar 2025
For a Few Rupees More (Part 1) – Peter Robins

  • Peter Robins returned a description and photo + caption via email.
    Copy-edited, including using Indian spellings for locations, rather than those used during British occupation!

Photo caption:
"WP class 4-6-2 'Pacific' locomotive no. 7687 restarting its train from Amritsar to New Delhi out of Jalandhar on 2nd January 1981. [Peter Robins]"

ALT text:
"A mainline railway scene in India in the 1980s. A large, partly-streamlined steam locomotive hauls a lengthy passenger train through broad expanses of freight marshalling yard, between characteristic semaphore signals. Smoke from several locomotives contribute to the heavily polluted sky."

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

14 Mar 2025

For a Few Rupees More
(Part 1)

(railway video extracts)

Peter Robins

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A mainline railway scene in India in the 1980s. A large, partly-streamlined steam locomotive hauls a lengthy passenger train through broad expanses of freight marshalling yard, between characteristic semaphore signals. Smoke from several locomotives contribute to the heavily polluted sky.

India was always a wonderful but slightly frustrating country that was full of surprises – some good, some not so. This two-part presentation draws from visits made between 1981 and 1996.

The presentation includes a variety of steam classes at work on broad and metre gauge, and on a number of the charming narrow gauge lines at various locations. Industrial lines also feature as does steam over the border in Pakistan.

Part 1 covers 1981 and 1987, and includes Punjab, Pakistan, Darjeeling, and Ooty (Ootacamund). (Part 2 is scheduled for October.)

Peter Robins is the guest judge for the Annual SWRS Photo Competition (held in December), so we can expect some cracking photography.

Photo: "WP class 4-6-2 'Pacific' locomotive no. 7687 restarting its train from Amritsar to New Delhi out of Jalandhar on 2nd January 1981. [Peter Robins]"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

07 Mar 2025
Looking Back at 2024 in Motion – Derek Spicer

  • Derek Spicer sent notes and a photo via email, in response to Peter's request to do the evening. Used almost unmodified.

Photo caption:
"LNER Thomson B1 4-6-0 61306 'Mayflower', leaving Kingswear on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, sometime during 2024. [Derek Spicer]"

ALT text:
"A steam locomotive hauls a lengthy passenger train along the bank of a broad river. The tree-covered hillside rises steeply behind. The apple green -liveried locomotive and carmine and cream coaches show up nicely against the natural backdrop."

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

07 Mar 2025

Looking Back at 2024
in Motion

(railway video extracts)

Derek Spicer

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A steam locomotive hauls a lengthy passenger train along the bank of a broad river. The tree-covered hillside rises steeply behind. The apple green -liveried locomotive and carmine and cream coaches show up nicely against the natural backdrop.

Derek makes short videos for his YouTube channel 'Pico Railway Videos'. Tonight he will be showing a selection of these video plus a couple of his unpublished films from 2024.

The videos will feature mainly railways, both main line and preserved, in the West Country and Southern England. This show was first shown at Reading Transport Group in January this year.

Derek Spicer is a professional videographer with a life-long interest in steam railways. He has been a keen amateur photographer for many years, winning awards at various competitions. Turning to video in 2000, he started a company to create short promotional videos for companies and charities. More of Derek's railway videos may be found on his YouTube channel: Pico Railway Videos.

Photo: "LNER Thomson B1 4-6-0 61306 'Mayflower', leaving Kingswear on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, sometime during 2024. [Derek Spicer]"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

28 Feb 2025
"Carry On Steaming, Again!" 2023-2024 – Simon Colbeck

  • [Research notes]:
  • See PRJ/Simon email, 22-23 Feb 2025
  • Photo provided by Simon was title caption for talk. Traction engine shot extracted from that for website. No caption provided.

Photo caption:
"1914 Fowler 10NHP B6 Showmans Road Locomotive 'Carry On' (works no 14425, reg. no. DP 4418), in livery of 'McGivern's Gigantic Pleasure Fairs', hard at work generating power for a vintage fairground ride. – Simon Colbeck"

Photo ALT text:
"Night-time view of a brightly-coloured traction engine on a vintage fairground, stationary, but steaming at full power. The lights on the showmans road locomotive use the electricity it is generating for the rides."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Instagram (couldn't create post) –– Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

28 Feb 2025

"Carry On Steaming,
  Again!"
2023-2024

2023-2024

Simon Colbeck

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

Night-time view of a brightly-coloured traction engine on a vintage fairground, stationary, but steaming at full power. The lights on the showmans road locomotive use the electricity it is generating for the rides.

A photographic essay of steam power on road and rail over the last couple of years. It will feature narrow gauge and standard gauge preserved railways, together with the best of UK road steam. As a bonus, there will be some archive material – fresh off the scanner – to remind us of the good old days of UK steam.

Simon Colbeck is a lifelong railway and heritage road steam enthusiast and live-steam modeller, and is well-known as a photographer, being a correspondent for Old Glory and Steam Railway magazines.

Photo: "1914 Fowler 10NHP B6 Showmans Road Locomotive 'Carry On' (works no 14425, reg. no. DP 4418), in livery of 'McGivern's Gigantic Pleasure Fairs', hard at work generating power for a vintage fairground ride. – Simon Colbeck"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

21 Feb 2025
Scenic Rails Around the World – Part 2 – John Laker & Keith Spillet

  • [Research notes]
  • Previous talks by John Laker & Keith Spillet:
    • "Scenic Rails Around the World – Part 2" - 21st Feb 2025
    • "Scenic Rails Around the World – Part 1" - 31st May 2024
    • "Preserved Steam Part 4" - 25th Nov 2022 - advertised as "High Definition Photography"!
    • "Preserved Steam Part 4" - 25th Feb 2022
    • "Preserved Steam Part 3" - 5th Nov 2021
    • "Preserved Steam Part 2" - 10th Sep 2021 (Blu-ray failure)
    • "Steam Railway Miscellany" - 1st Feb 2019 ('Keith & John Laker' !!)
    • "Steam on the Underground" - 1st Dec 2017 ('John Laker' - didn't show us any LT Steam, as the only footage is on their DVD which they didn't show!!)
    • "British Second Generation Tramways" - 17th Mar 2017 ('John Laker')
    • "British Trams and Trolley Buses in HD" - 28th Oct 2016 ('John Laker')
  • Email response from John (to Peter Latham, 7th Feb 2025):
    • Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver to Banff and Via Rail Jasper to Toronto 2001
    • Petit Train de Cerdagnes 2005
    • Bernina Express 2009
    • Pilatus Bahn Rack Railway 2019
    • Brienz Rothorn Steam Railway 2019

Photo caption:
"Train of Rhätische Bahn on the Bernina line, with the Morteratsch Glacier in the background, 16 August 2004.
– Rainer Göttlinger   [Wikimedia Commons - CC-by-SA-3.0]"

ALT text:
"A boxy, but colourful, electric multiple unit on a steep climb in Switzerland, backed by dense forest and a glacier in the background."

Image from Wikimedia Commons – Source caption:
Train of Rhätische Bahn on the Bernina line, with the Morteratsch Glacier in the background, 16 August 2004.
– Rainer Göttlinger   [Wikimedia Commons - CC-by-SA-3.0]"

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

21 Feb 2025

Scenic Rails Around The World – Part 2

John Laker & Keith Spillet

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A boxy, but colourful, electric multiple unit on a steep climb in Switzerland, backed by dense forest and a glacier in the background.

Videographer and tram enthusiast, John Laker, and retired photographer Keith Spillett, are presenting another evening of their high-definition video, complete with sound system and live commentary.

This evening will feature trains from around the world, including: from 2001, The Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Banff) and Via Rail (Jasper to Toronto); the Petit Train de Cerdagnes (2005); the Bernina Express (2009); and then, after the interval, from 2019: the Pilatus Bahn Rack Railway and the Brienz Rothorn Steam Railway.

(Photo: Train of Rhätische Bahn on the Bernina line, with the Morteratsch Glacier in the background, 16 August 2004. – Rainer Göttlinger   [Wikimedia Commons - CC-by-SA-3.0]
Not featured in the evening's entertainment, but is representative of an RhB train. It may, or may not, be the Bernina Express; but it's certainly similar!)

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

14 Feb 2025
Rhapsody in BR Blue – (Peter Jewell / Members Evening)

  • Additional notes:
  • Evening will be built around the 2017 DVD from Global Video films:
    "Into the Blue - Blue Diesels in the 1970s and 1980s - Volume 2: Yorkshire"
  • DVD was donated to SWRS to sell, but the sights and sounds are too good to let go.
  • At end, need to do a quick advert for the publishers, to appease any copyright issues!

Photo caption:
"BR Class 45 1Co-Co1 diesel locomotive no. 45054 heads south from Loughborough with a passenger train for London St. Pancras, 9th July 1975. – Nigel Tout
– (CC-by-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons"

Photo ALT text:
"A very long British Rail diesel locomotive, painted BR Blue, with yellow ends, hauls an express passenger train through flat countryside."

Image from Wikimedia Commons –
Source caption: "BR Class 45 1Co-Co1 diesel locomotive no. 45054 heads south from Loughborough with a passenger train for London St. Pancras, July 1975."
Nigel Tout – via Wikimedia Commons – 9 July 1975

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

14 Feb 2025

Rhapsody in BR Blue

– from luxury travel to warplanes

(Members Eve. / Peter Jewell)

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A very long British Rail diesel locomotive, painted BR Blue, with yellow ends, hauls an express passenger train through flat countryside.

British Rail's corporate identity introduced BR Rail Blue in 1966, and this livery lasted well into the 1980s. The "BR Blue" era is fondly remembered by those who started their train-spotting during those years.

This evening we shall be watching classic diesel traction in Yorkshire in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with a very high content of freight! It's from a DVD donated to the Society, and the sound is something else. So, if you love the gentle roar of Sulzers, English Electrics and Napier Deltics, you'll love this.

Fans of Peaks, Whistlers, Tractors, Choppers, Grids, Rats, and Deltics will be in their element, and there's a glorious cameo from a Hoover on a railtour!

If there's time, we'll also watch some footage of Slough Station in 1985, featuring Class 50's, 47's, 31's, HSTs and DMUs.

Photo: "BR Class 45 1Co-Co1 diesel locomotive no. 45054 heads south from Loughborough with a passenger train for London St. Pancras, 9th July 1975. – Nigel Tout
– (CC-by-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons"
[I know it's the wrong region, but it's a fantastic photo! - Webmaster]

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

07 Feb 2025
Stories from a Career in Flying – Lorimer Burn

Photo caption:
"The Lynx Mk8 helicopter of HMS Campbeltown, a Type 22 Frigate, is pictured on exercise over the Red Sea in January 2007. –
LA(Phot) Des Wade – Crown Copyright / MOD 45147445 [OGL v1.0], via Wikimedia Commons"

Photo ALT text:
"A Royal Navy Lynx helicopter, silhouetted against a sunset over a vast expanse of sea"

Image from Wikimedia Commons –
Source caption: "The Lynx Mk8 helicopter of HMS Campbeltown, a Type 22 Frigate, is pictured on exercise over the Red Sea in January 2007."
LA(Phot) Des Wade – Crown Copyright / MOD 45147445 [OGL v1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Not YET publicised on social media.

Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

07 Feb 2025

Stories from a
Career in Flying

– from luxury travel to warplanes

Lorimer Burn

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A Royal Navy Lynx helicopter, silhouetted against a sunset over a vast expanse of sea

The stories commence with naval helicopter operations off Iceland during the 'Cod Wars', then continue with helicopter flying in the Royal Navy, including some dramatic video of landing a Lynx helicopter on the deck of a frigate in a gale.

Moving to civilian aviation, the stories continue with helicopter operations to the North Sea oil rigs, including passenger ditching training, and operations of the S61N and Chinook helicopters. Finally, "Don't fly through a thunderstorm!" – the story of an accidental flight into a cumulonimbus cloud over Basingstoke, UK.

Lorimer Burn started his flying career in 1967, flying helicopters from Royal Navy ships. After 12 years' military service he joined British Airways Helicopters to fly S61 and Chinooks to North Sea oil rigs. In 1988 he moved from helicopters to airliners, flying Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 planes from Heathrow for British Midland. Since retirement Lorimer has remained firmly on the ground, but spends his time giving presentations about his flying experience and other aviation topics.

This will be a welcome return to the Manor for Lorimer, who gave us an illustrated talk on Incredible Flying Boats, last year.

Photo: "The Lynx Mk8 helicopter of HMS Campbeltown, a Type 22 Frigate, is pictured on exercise over the Red Sea in January 2007.
– LA(Phot) Des Wade – Crown Copyright / MOD 45147445 [OGL v1.0], via Wikimedia Commons"

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

31 January 2025
"Slough Estates No.3" (Members Evening)

Photo from PRJ's 'purchased slide' collection.

Photo caption:
"Slough Estates No.3 pauses between duties outside Weston's Biscuit Factory, sometime during the 1960s (P Jewell Collection)"

ALT text:
"A small, green, 0-6-0 saddle-tank locomotive (Slough Estates No. 3) sits amid clouds of steam, near a brick factory building, surrounded by cars parked very close to the tracks."

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook –– Facebook (10th Jan) ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

Original text: (only up for 24hrs)

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

31 January 2025

"Slough Estates No.3" (100 years old!)

(Members' Photographs)

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A small, green, 0-6-0 saddle-tank locomotive (Slough Estates No. 3) sits amid clouds of steam, near a brick factory building, surrounded by cars parked very close to the tracks.

In anticipation of a proper "Return to Steam" celebration later in the year, this is an opportunity for members to look out their pictures and videos of No.3, and to share these and other reminiscences with fellow members.

"Slough Estates No.3" is one of the 0-6-0 steam locomotives that used to shunt wagons around the Slough Trading Estate's private railway system, between 1924 and 1973. Slough & Windsor Railway Society are custodians of "No.3" (as we know her), and SWRS members were instrumental in restoring the locomotive to working order again, after 25 years out of use.

October 2024 was No.3's 100th birthday, and we had hoped to celebrate this with a trip to the Middleton Railway in Leeds, where No. 3 is currently based. This couldn't happen as No.3 is still in pieces, deep into her second boiler overhaul since restoration. Happily, the overhaul is approaching completion and should be finished within the next few months.

This evening is a chance to see pictures and film of No.3 at work on the Trading Estate, under restoration at Stoke Place, and in action at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, and the Middleton Railway. We should also have an update on the progress of her latest overhaul.

Members are invited to bring their photos of No.3, particularly at work on the Trading Estate or in pieces at Stoke Place (or the Watercress Line), to share with others. And if anyone can bring along a Super 8 ciné projector, we can show an archive film of the engines that was made during their last year of operation.

(Photo: Slough Estates No.3 pauses between duties outside Weston's Biscuit Factory, sometime during the 1960s (P Jewell Collection))

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

Please note that new heaters have been installed in The Manor, so winter meetings are a lot warmer than they used to be! (But do wrap up, as they struggle a bit when it's near freezing.)

Revised text: (after it was noted that we should be having a big celebration on completion)

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

31 January 2025

"Slough Estates No.3"

(Members' Evening)

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A small, green, 0-6-0 saddle-tank locomotive (Slough Estates No. 3) sits amid clouds of steam, near a brick factory building, surrounded by cars parked very close to the tracks.

In anticipation of a proper "Return to Steam" celebration later in the year, this is an opportunity for members to look out their pictures and videos of No.3, and to share these and other reminiscences with fellow members.

Please note: at the beginning of the evening there will be an Open Meeting for all members to discuss the current vacancies within the Committee.

"Slough Estates No.3" is one of the 0-6-0 steam locomotives that used to shunt wagons around the Slough Trading Estate's private railway system, between 1924 and 1973. Slough & Windsor Railway Society are custodians of "No.3" (as we know her), and SWRS members were instrumental in restoring the locomotive to working order again, after 25 years out of use.

No. 3 is currently based at the Middleton Railway in Leeds, but out-of-traffic for her second boiler overhaul since restoration. Happily, the overhaul is approaching completion and should be finished within the next few months.

Members are invited to bring their photos of No.3, particularly at work on the Trading Estate or in pieces at Stoke Place (or the Watercress Line), to share with others. And if anyone can bring along a Super 8 ciné projector, we can show an archive film of the engines that was made during their last year of operation.

(Photo: Slough Estates No.3 pauses between duties outside Weston's Biscuit Factory, sometime during the 1960s (P Jewell Collection))

This evening is open to non-members as well as SWRS members.

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

03-24 January 2025
Members' Presentation Evening

Banner ad stayed up, unmodified (not even date!), from 3rd to 23rd January! No social media updates either, although a FB event was created for 10th.
For 24th Jan, the date was changed, and the final comment about next week's No.3 evening added.

Photo previously used prior to 2018. (Not yet looked when!)

Photo caption:
"GWR 2-6-2T 5164 in the snow at Kidderminster Town on the Severn Valley Railway. 23rd March 2013 (Tony Hisgett [CC-by-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)"

ALT text:
"A wintry scene at a heritage railway where a restored Great Western Railway tank locomotive stands waiting for its next duty, partly obscured by falling snow."

Image from Wikimedia Commons –
Source caption: "5164 in the Snow 2 – 23rd March 2013 "
Full attribution: Tony Hisgett [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Not YET publicised on social media.

[UPDATE THESE] Social Media: Twitter –– Instagram –– Facebook –– Facebook (10th Jan) ––
Not used this time: Google My Business –– ScoopLoop.

"Friday Nights at The Manor"

24 January 2025

Members' Presentation Evening

(Members' Photographs)

7:45pm, at 'The Manor', Slough Station (directions)

A wintry scene at a heritage railway where a restored Great Western Railway tank locomotive stands waiting for its next duty, partly obscured by falling snow.

The Manor will be open as usual for members to come along and socialise, catch up on the latest railway news, enjoy a tea or coffee, join in the raffle, and chat to the people running the OO model railway.

As for entertainment... This evening is an opportunity for members to present their photos or videos of railway-related activity: heritage railway visits, rail tours, mainline specials, train-spotting exploits, etc, with other like-minded enthusiasts.

But as a fallback, we can watch a railway-related DVD on our big screen!

Next week – look out your photos to share at our Slough Estates No. 3 evening.

(Photo: GWR 2-6-2T 5164 in the snow at Kidderminster Town on the Severn Valley Railway. 23rd March 2013 (Tony Hisgett [CC-by-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons))

Please see the Programme page for more about Friday meetings.

Please note that new heaters have been installed in The Manor, so winter meetings are a lot warmer than they used to be! (But do wrap up, as they struggle a bit when it's near freezing.)