Past President Martin’s lifelong passion for steam railways came alive in his nostalgic talk on Tuesday, which he tied into 200 years of railway history being celebrated this year. His presentation was based on his own childhood memories, and heritage steam preservation – with an added local twist.
Martin, who described his enthusiasm for the railways as a “lifetime passion”, wove together national history, personal anecdotes, and the continuing legacy of Britain’s steam railway heritage in his presentation.
Setting the context of the talk, Martin admitted his world was “pretty small” until the age of 18 – a fact he illustrated with a personal map showing the location of his home and school on the northern side of Guildford. The London to Portsmouth railway line ran close to his childhood home. However, his earliest memories include visiting the playing fields of the school, near Woking, at which his mother taught in the 1950s near Woking. It was those early memories of the sound and sight of passing Pullman steam trains that left an indelible impression – the seed of fascination that would grow into his lifelong passion.
Martin’s adventures in trainspotting truly began with his school friend Bob – his “partner in crime” – watching trains from the so-called “Monkey Bridge” after school. They joined the school railway club, and the pair spent many hours logging train sightings using Ian Allan spotter books, often visiting the Guildford engine shed – now long gone, replaced by a car park.
Martin introduced members to the influential Southern Railway designer O.V.S. Bulleid, who left a remarkable legacy. Bulleid was known for designing the Merchant Navy class locomotives and the striking, austere Q1 class – Britain’s most powerful 0-6-0 engine. He also pioneered several innovations, including the Bulleid Firth Brown wheel, air-smoothed casings, and double-decker electric multiple units. Although he opposed the 1948 nationalisation of the Southern Railway, Bulleid’s designs went on to define the Southern Region, with all Merchant Navy locomotives later rebuilt between 1956 and 1960.
Martin’s slides included evocative images of famous named trains such as the Kentish Belle (previously the Thanet Belle) and the Golden Arrow, evoking a golden age of British travel. He also shared personal memories.
One picture resonated with fellow Rotarian and rail enthusiast PP Robert Yonge – who recalled visiting the station shop shown in one picture of Weybridge for “bread and dripping” – a detail that brought some smiles and nods of recognition from the audience.
Martin’s talk then focused on what happened after the end of steam – marked poignantly by the date Sunday 9th July 1967. He showed images of post-steam “graveyards” in Wales, where many engines were scrapped. One surprising hero emerged from this era: Dai Woodham, the Barry scrapyard owner who honoured agreements with emerging heritage railways, allowing many locomotives to be saved. Thanks to efforts like his, a number of Bulleid’s engines survive today, including Q1 on static display in the National Railway Museum and engines like Braunton and the British India Line, which are now fully restored and operational.
Martin explained the significant cost of locomotive restoration – often several hundred thousand pounds – and ongoing ten-year overhauls, not to mention coal usage and other operating expenses. Yet the passion of preservationists and volunteers has kept the steam dream alive. He highlighted Kent’s own link to this legacy with the light Pacific Sir Keith Park locomotive, now preserved and running – a video clip drew appreciative murmurs from the room.
Martin closed by inviting members to an upcoming visit he’s arranged for the Mini Group Study Exchange on 21st August, promising a chance to witness these magnificent machines up close. The talk ended, fittingly, with Tony Loughran (standing in for President Maxine Blades) thanking Martin for “a great trip down memory lane”.
Picture: Persistence pays off – a picture of The Man of Kent locomotive captured by Martin. Picture credit: Martin Ward/Rotary Club of Canterbury.
