AT the May meeting of the 8E Railway Association, Les Nixon took members on a tour of Scotland. This tour to some extent replaced one he had made with a friend on a motorbike in the 1950s.
The object on that occasion was to visit every engine shed, and was an exhausting experience. However, this talk was a more leisurely progress, the slides covering the period from 1965 to 1995.
Les began his tour at Berwick, continued up the East coast through Edinburgh and Aberdeen to Thurso and returned through Kyle of Lochalsh, Aviemore and Mallaig to Glasgow and Ayrshire.
Most of the trains featured were locomotive hauled, with a wide range of steam and diesel power, now relegated to history or perhaps preserved.
There was lots of interest in the infrastructure and some stunning scenery, particularly on the Kyle line. He also explored some of the industrial railways which used to cover the country.
There were also some engine sheds, harking back to the original tour. Les is an excellent photographer, his work still regularly appearing in print. He also proved to be a most genial raconteur.
A key test of the success of a meeting is whether you would wish to invite the speaker to come back, and Les passed this test with flying colours. He has already been booked for next year!
For details of future meetings visit the website 8erailwayassociation.org.uk or call Paul Tench on 07790 486 735.
David Hawkes
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