Come and

MEET US.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, THE OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF THESE WONDERFUL LOCOMOTIVES ARE ALWAYS EAGER TO TALK TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ENGINE THAT IS CURRENTLY ‘IN THE STATION’.

BEHIND THE SCENES THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT GOING ON,

AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU

SOME OF OUR OTHER MEMBERS AS WELL, INCLUDING THOSE THAT

 YOU MAY ONLY OCCASIONALLY COME ACROSS.

Watch out for new additions.

photo by R. Ingram

ELIZABETH says, Dad built me a ‘00’ gauge layout when I was about 6, (well he said it was for me!), and the interest lasted throughout  my childhood.  I became a junior member of a model engineering club, and drove 31/2 " and 5" steam locomotives hauling passengers sitting astride the 'carriages' on their raised track. My interest was re-kindled years later when I collected pre-war Hornby tin plate gauge ‘0’. More recently I decided it was high time to drive a fill size engine and drove the Terrier on the Lavender Line with tuition from Mick Blackburn and Clive Groom.  Having visited the Garden Centre for a while, and always fascinated by the SDLR line I plucked up courage to join and here I am. Since joining the SDLR I have had further driver training from Mick on Pulborough and Peggy.  I cannot claim to have the railway engineering skills so many members have, but I am building a ‘G1’ railway in the garden and through the greenhouse!  I have been made to feel very welcome by the other members, if you are thinking of joining don't hesitate!

I’m HEIDI, Mick’s wife and I’ve been on the sidelines of the SDLR for many years.  I’ve recently put my name down for a few driving turns to make a change from the full size, where I have been driving for 17 yrs - on the footplate for nearly 30.  I volunteer on four different railways; the smallest, (full size), engine that I have driven is ‘MARCIA’ an 0-4-0 at the KESR, and the biggest ‘TORNADO’ on the NYMR.  The best thing about the SDLR is that you get all the fun of driving steam trains without the long unsociable hours and the back-breaking hard work !  Of course there’s no Fireman to annoy, but then you can’t have everything.

Junior member, KEVIN, shown here with his father PAUL after completing a stint in our Ticket Office.  Paul is still very much active in the Construction Industry, whilst Kevin wants to ‘dabble in everything’.

“Since early schooldays, I’ve always been interested in Railways”, said  DAVE. He served out an Electrical Engineers Apprenticeship, then went on to do his National Service which mainly ended up being in North Africa. Before moving house further down south, and joining SDLRS, he worked both in the workshop and on the footplate as a Trainee Fireman with the Mid Hants Railway.

As I am the one who takes all these snap-shots of Members, I have so far managed to avoid appearing on this page.  Alas, with pressure, and a photograph from Roger Clark showing me in my favourite place, (the Ticket Office), I have succumbed.  Like most of our Members, I spent my youth travelling all over London ‘spotting’. A kindly driver letting me take his ‘West Country Class’ loco just yards along the platform probably sealed my interest for ever. Incidentally, I’m ALAN, and the other part of this team is ANNE who can often be seen sitting in the Guard’s Van, (usually in the rain), and chatting to all our visitors on the platform.

DEN, ANOTHER RECENT NEW MEMBER, REMINISCES,  “Having to end a life-long love of boating and sea angling, I was finally reeled in at an SDLRS presentation in Bognor Regis. The film I saw on the screen took me back to my train spotting childhood and an early fondness for steam and railways generally.    Having joined in April 2009 and been active on the “old timers” Thursdays, I am so far delighted in the friendly and hands on manner shown to new members.”           

DEN’S interest then spread to his wife JULIA, whom you may have met in the Ticket Office occasionally, or at one of our many ‘special’ weekends.

Here’s DAVID, who says that he “ Loves driving all sorts of Steam Locomotives ”.  Since an early age he certainly has driven quite a few, including full-size Locos together with Traction Engines as well.  In his spare time, (that’s assuming Accountants get spare time), he is building from scratch a 5” PACIFIC and has now finished rebuilding his ‘LORD NELSON’, which he says was an utter wreck to start with. 

David is shown here with his rebuilt ‘Lord Nelson.

AT THE TENDER AGE OF 15, JOHN EMIGRATED TO CANADA.  “At School I was introduced to Dave Brown who took me to the Local 10 ¼” Steam Railway”.   HE WAS HOOKED, BUT THEN ON HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND, (UNTIL HE JOINED sdlrs IN 2000), HE DID NOT GET INVOLVED WITH MINIATURE TRAINS AGAIN FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS.  HE WAS AT ONE TIME A MEMBER OF THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY, BUT NOW REGULARLY DRIVES OUR LOCOS AT PULBOROUGH. HE IS ALSO WORKING ON VARIOUS PROJECTS IN THE  ‘HORLEY MINIATURE LOCOMOTIVES’ CONSORTIUM.

 

 PAUL,  Loves pottering around the Locos.  You will generally find him performing Guard duties 

 when he’s not Driving.        

                                 New member KEN, says “ I’m still learning, and keep busy on all sorts of projects. It’s an ideal  way of getting involved if you are tempted to try your hand’ .“

 

 

BARRY, One of our founder members..     ”I’ve been mixing with miniature railways since I was about 5 yrs

  old”.  Barry owns the ROYAL SCOT loco, which he imported from New Zealand. (see ENGINES)

LEE, since he has been here has integrated well, and helps out in very many different ways.  His hobbies include  all sorts of Modelling, but especially Railways.  Our shot shows him with Mogul, after having gained his ‘Ticket’.

 

Here’s JOHN, another recent member, shown here in our ticket office.

“I have a life-long passion for railways, especially the Steam scene, and greatly enjoy railway modeling in 00 gauge. I am particularly fascinated with Branch Lines, and their working practices. Since retirement I have become an active member of SDLRS, and regularly look forward to the tasks at the Thursday Maintenance/Working Party Days, where there is always a very friendly atmosphere. On running days I am happy to do anything that keeps the SDLRS trains on track.”

JAYNE, faces the unenviable task of giving a FACELIFT to the whole of the railway site. If there are any budding gardeners out there,  she could find you plenty to keep you occupied.    In her spare time (!!!) she participates in the organising of a great deal of the functions. Seated behind her is one of the many Teddies from the annual ‘TEDDY BEARS PICNIC’.  She also has a very large part to play in the preparation of the ‘SANTA RUNS’ setting up the Grotto, as well as chasing  Santa’s Elves to see how they are getting on packaging and sorting all the presents.

Another CHRIS, a Railway Engineer who professionally TEACHES DRIVERS OF FULL SIZE ENGINES.

Chris is the owner of 771, Sir Sagramore (see ENGINES).  He’s also keen on Scouting, Boating and Travel.

Another Family Team, comprising of STEVE, TARA and sons HARRY & JAMES.  They are all involved with our railway, and are currently renovating a small Diesel Loco which is named KATHY.  The boys also run Mamod steam models, and ‘00’ trains as part of their hobbies.  These photos shows Tara with Harry in the ticket office, the other is James, sitting in the station.

One of our younger members, ANDY. He enjoys getting involved with Model Railways at the Guildford Model Engineering Society and Hollycombe in gauges 16mm, 5” and 71/4”, and of course driving our 101/4” here. He also spends time filming railways and  making short movies about them. Andy is shown here with one of his smaller charges     "AJAX”.

FATHER CHRISTMAS,  arrives once a year using his own transport, but certainly not averse to having rides on our railway.  Extremely nice to children, and tends to give presents in December when we run the Santa Specials.

This PAUL, Our C.M.E., helps keep the Loco’s and Rolling Stock running, and will turn his hand to practically anything.  He has spent a lot of time working alongside Jerry, (and the rest of the ‘Gang’), helping make the Railway into the excellent condition it is today.

   Pictured below, sitting on the luggage at Stopham Road, is his son THOMAS. Tom is our youngest active member, and like Dad wants to be involved in as much as possible, (He say’s he’s taught Dad all he knows !).   

 

ALONG WITH ALAN AND PAUL, TOM OWNS A SHARE OF THE ‘FLYING SCOTSMAN’. (see ENGINES).

 

JERRY, never happier than when he is “banging away” at one project or another, or even perhaps sitting in the freezing cold at the back of the train in the Brake Van.

  

Yet another CHRIS.   As well as a being one of the founder members, he was, until recently, our Secretary since formation.  An extremely active member, who deals with almost everything you can imagine, on top of being our Electrical Engineer.  Chris has lots of outside interests, many of which have a community aspect, how he finds time for all this is a mystery to me.  Chris also owns and drives 5156 "Ayrshire Yeomanry”, (see ENGINES).

NICK, who’s hobby is STEAM.  When he’s not driving here you can find him over at Amberley Chalk Pits, driving Road Steamers.  He owns two 4” scale Traction engines as well as a full size “Wallace & Steevens” Advanced Steam Roller.

SIMON, I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering at College. My other interests are Toy Steam, Model Railways and Live Steam Garden Railways.  I am a volunteer at Amberley Working Museum, cosmetically restoring a steam engine that worked in the Guinness Brewery at St. James Gate and  I am a trainee fireman on the railway.   Simon can also be seen here regularly driving many of our locos.

THIS TEAM ALSO HELP TO KEEP THE RAILWAY RUNNING.  YVONNE, SPENDS A LOT OF TIME HELPING OUT AT THE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, MOST PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY REMEMBER HER IN HER ‘SANTA HAT’, (see ‘ARCHIVE’ section).  MEANWHILE MALCOLM IS KEPT BUSY AS PART OF THE ‘BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES’ SECTION WHEN NOT ON GUARD DUTY.

YET ANOTHER PAUL. WHEN NOT ON ROSTER HERE, HE FINDS TIME TO DABBLE IN SMALLER  LOCOS AS WELL.  HE HAS BUILT (IN 5 “ GAUGE), A GWR 57XX PANNIER TANK, AN AUTO COACH, AND IS BUSY BUILDING AN A4 LOCO.

We always encourage the youngsters to start early and learn all about the various jobs needed to run our railway. This particular weekend found MICHAEL, KEVIN, and of course THOMAS all joining in the fun.  Kevin recently spent a week in Germany on holiday. Instead of sending home all the usual scenic photographs, all they got were pictures of the local Goods Trains.  Now that is keenness for you.

 

Meet JOHN, seen here in the Driver’s Cab of ‘PEGGY’.   Now fully retired from The Horticultural Industry, it gives him more time to indulge his many hobbies.

Apart from Sailing and Sea Fishing, and of course the South Downs Light Railway, he is a keen Model Maker and specialises in 5” gauge steam engines.

 

Brian has been passionate about railways ever since he was born in a house overlooking a busy railway line. As a boy he spent hours leaning over the fence at the end of the garden watching the  trains go by. Progressing from a loco spotter through a railway modeller and model engineer he is now the proud major shareholder in "Peggy", (named after his mother-in-law). In his career as a solicitor he has advised a number of railway preservation societies and groups.  He says he feels very honoured and privileged to be chairman of SDLRS Ltd."

Editor of ‘SOUTH DOWNS WAY’,

our resident ‘Wordsmith’  CRISPIN, a retired Clergyman.  He finds time to model the LGB scale of loco’s when not being involved with his Grandchildren.  Currently, he says, he is being instructed on how to drive our engines.

KEN has always been interested in steam since a small boy, and became a member to continue this interest when he retired.  Having taught Media at University he helps the SDLR in producing and editing the DVDs which  monitor this railway as it progresses. Apart from that he regularly helps as Guard, Station Master or anything else that he can do to keep our passengers happy.

Asked why he spent a lot of his spare time at the SDLR, ROGER replied, “For the ‘advanced years brigade’, working for this railway is pure therapy.  It provides a golden opportunity to relive some early childhood ambitions and to become fully involved in all of the action”.

Meet MICK.  He joined the ‘BLUEBELL RAILWAY’ in 1961 as a young Schoolboy, and has now been a Standard Gauge Steam Driver for 21 years. His other interests include Vintage Vehicles and Tractors.  He has a large collection at home, which also includes Land Rovers.  Mick joined the SDLR in 2000, and helped with the enormous task of re-gauging our track.

If you have seen ALICE, ( the 0-4-2TT Bagnall ), in action around our system, you might like to meet her owner and builder, GILES.  He has been involved in Railways for about 40 years.  He has driven Locos at both the SPA VALLEY, and  the LAVENDER LINE, now enjoys building 10 1/4 engines.  He designs Theatres for a living, and although he loves his hobbies, for the record, he “ Loves his Wife more than Railways”.

HERE’S RICHARD.  WHILST CHATTING TO HIM THE OTHER DAY HE TOLD ME THAT, “I have had a life long interest in railways, especially steam engines. Getting involved with the SDLR, and being a minority shareholder in ‘Peggy’ has realised a childhood dream.  There is no smell like that of a steam engine to bring back memories.  I also model in 7mm scale and am currently building a small layout, when other interests allow.”

The Hat Badge gives us a clue, in that 15 year old ‘Oli’ lives all the way down in Devon.  He said that “Unusually, I’m lost for words”, but we managed to find out from him that he loves to visit the SDLR when staying with his Grandad, (Brian, our Chairman), who fostered his love of engines from an early age. He is a keen Golfer, and the rumour is that Oliver could very well be destined for great things.  

PR officer for the Guildford Model Engineering Society, MIKE is interested in railways and anything steam powered. He is currently building, (with help from son Andy), a 16mm garden railway. Originally he trained as a designer, worked in design and photo/AV education, and is now photography officer with the Royal Horticultural Society.

PETER,  owner of MOGUL and creator of our Signalling System.   Peter served in the Office of Treasurer from the formation of the Society for eight years, thereby creating the stable base that we work from now.

On top of his other duties, Peter has recently been appointed our Company Secretary.

Yet another member of our interesting Society, meet another ROGER. He is the other half of the RoKen production team that produces our DVDs. I understand that they also create really useful ‘free’ local routes for the Trainz Railway simulation software. Roger, when he isn’t running the Ticket Office or on Guard duty fills in as Deputy Signalman.

Meet a Music Teacher from Charterhouse School in Godalming, where NEIL teaches Drums and Percussion.  Seen here on an a break from driving ‘PULBOROUGH’, he also drives at Mid-Hants Railway, having gained his certificate in January 2008.

Meet RICHARD. My first introduction to live steam was when my father bought me my 3 1/2 inch gauge Atlantic class locomotive, ' Maisie ',  at the age of 12. I would lie in bed at night and dream of building a 3 1/2 inch gauge railway around Poole Park.  Following on from this dream, it has been a lifelong ambition to have my own railway built in the garden so that it is accessible any time of the day or year. In 1986, the possibility came to fruition, and so it was that the Luscombe Valley Railway was born. My weekends are taken up with the use of my various steam artifacts and it is always a balancing act to decide what to do on any particular weekend. Hence, I am not seen at the South Downs Light Railway that often. However, this only goes to increase the pleasure of visiting South Downs as and when I can.

MORE TO FOLLOW OVER THE FOLLOWING MONTHS