The Railway Society

Apart from showing two films, entitled 'Precious Soil' and 'Spraying for Profits', which were both most interesting, the programme never really got under way this year. However, interest and support remain and we hope we may be able, once again, to report on considerably more activity next year. S.W.P.

One of my books on steam locomotives describes an 'eccentric' as a 'small crank'. An admirable description, some may say, of railway fanatics. I think though that this would be an unfair label to stick on our Railway Society. It is, rather, a small group of enthusiasts.

We have met, on average, once per week—usually on a Wednesday lunchtime. Our programme of activities during the year has been a modest one. The exception has been, perhaps, the 'Grand Exhibition', which is reviewed elsewhere in The Peterite. Everyone worked tremendously hard for that event.

Members have seen railway films and a slide show cum mini-exhibition of the Stockton & Darlington Railway I5oth Anniversary (Rupert Brown plus J.M.R.); visited the relics shop at York station, the annexe to the National Railway Museum and the York model railway layout in Skeldergate. A few members attended a lecture on 'The Whitby-Scarborough line' at the York branch of the North York Moors Railway Society.

We wound up the year by going on the two-hour round 'Steam Trip. from York—Leeds—Harrogate—York. This train was pulled by the streamlined A4 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. Most of us managed to get an eye full of soot, which was far preferable to smelly diesel fumes!

The original nameplate, 'St. Peter's School, York, A.D. 627', and its replica have both been restored to their authentic colours during the year. Research for this and for the three-panel exhibition on the 'St. Peter's School' loco has been done by Rupert Brown. The Railway Society is to be responsible for the weekly polishing of the nameplate on the outside of the Memorial Hall.

My thanks to all members who have supported the society during the year, and particular thanks to the committee : Paul McCarter, Rupert Brown, Andrew Leckenby, and our very talented publicity artist, Robert Nield. J.P.R.

RAILWAY SOCIETY GRAND EXHIBITION

(Drama Centre, 1.15-8 p.m., Wednesday, 23rd May, 1979)

On entering a main railway station, all our senses are engaged in the appreciation of our surroundings. Bustling people, the growl and metallic sounds of locomotives and stock, announcements, the smell of diesel and decay, and our ever failing attempts to avoid the animate and inanimate. In many ways this atmosphere was created by Mr. Roden and his team, Stephen and Robert Nield, Rupert Brown and Paul McCarter, for the railway exhibition (with the exception of the smells!).

One would walk around looking at the exhibits, with the constant showing of the film 'Locomotive' (excellent) in one direction catching your eye, slides 53