February - Intercity Railway Society

Society Notice Board
Editor’s Comments:
On 10 th January the Government finally announced their intention to build HS2 and so herald the
largest civil engineering project seen in a very long time. Irrespective of the nimby objectors who have
and continue to put forward spurious reasons for rejecting the scheme, HS2 will be a major asset to
the national rail network. It is an essential project planned to ease overcrowding and capacity
restrictions for the future generations and thank goodness that a government has had the guts to not
take the easy option and plan long term for once. The good of the nation must sometimes outweigh
the sensitivities of the few. The fact we are in financial meltdown and skint means it was doubly
important that the decision was made as it will eventually generate jobs and future growth, both
desperately needed. The £32 billion total cost of the scheme, one fact being thrown back by objectors
as a huge sum to pay for a 45 min saving on journey time to Birmingham overlooks the fact it is for the
entire Y network to Manchester and Leeds and is to be funded annually as a follow on cost to
Crossrail. The only shame about the scheme is that we have to wait that long and the amount of
tunnelling proposed, to overcome some objections, so negating one of the joys of train travel...the
view. Why is it that the passing of trains is seen to be worse than that of automobiles. Would we could
put the endless drone of motorways in tunnels !!
Unfortunately no one has yet come forward to help with Wagon News / Reviews etc, so yours truly has
somehow found time to write an article. With wagons an important part of the railway, hopefully the
Reviews will appear on a 2 or 3 month basis, but I really do need some help as I can’t do everything.
I have now adopted an innovation on membership where I now email all those who are due for
renewals/reminders, so saving on the high cost of postage to both the Society and you the members
and which will hopefully keep the subs from rising. This also saves time in waiting for post to go out
and come back and saves the ‘waste’ where members then renew online by PayPal, which more of
you are helpfully doing. Those without email will still be sent forms by post as will those whose email
does not appear to have been answered. So please, if you have changed your email since last
renewing, are going to or have gained an email for the first time then please let me know. As those
who have renewed in recent months have found, I now also acknowledge receipt by email where I
can. Please be assured for those without computers I am not discriminating against you, just taking
advantage of helpful technology to improve admin and hopefully a better service to members.
Eastleigh Works Tour, Thur. 15 th March 2012:
There is one place left but it is first come first served. Please ring Carl on 07403 040533 to apply.
AGM, Sat. 21 st April 2012:
We have moved away from a preserved venue back to the ‘real’ railway this year at Derby. We have
booked a pod on the balcony inside the old Carriage Shop adjoining the Roundhouse, part of the
original works and now known as Pride Park. Access is simple from the footbridge over Derby station,
where I imagine all those going will congregate for a bit of spotting. Likely traffic through the station will
be made available in either March or April issue of Tracks. The date is 21 st April, time 11.00-13.00.
Tours will also be conducted around the buildings from 13.30 which last approx. 1 hour. Car parking is
available and more details will be provided in the next issue. Can members attending or if you wish to
record your apology for absence, please contact our Secretary, Gary Mutten.
As you will be aware from last year’s AGM, Gary notified us that he intended stepping down from the
AGM but we have excellent nominations for both the Treasurer and Secretary roles in Peter Britcliffe
and Stuart Moore. Gary has been responsible for both posts for some time so whilst it is sad to lose
Gary it is great that Pete has a new role to play and we have ‘fresh’ blood injected into the small hard
working committee. Hopefully as many of you will attend as possible, to send Gary on his way with
thanks and to welcome the ‘new’ boys.
Errata:
It has just been brought to my attention that on page 9 in the Nov. 2011 issue under Ramblings of a
Rail Enthusiast the location for 46238 should be Crewe, an inadvertent typo I’m afraid, repeating
Carlisle...even you missed that one Dave.
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