Western Times - Issue 7

In this issue, extending the boundaries geographically continues with two essays on South Wales – to describe the complex history of Penrhos, a busy meeting place for several constituent railways, and to illustrate some Welsh pre-Grouping coaches that survived to join the BR fleet. There is an account of the experiences of an apprentice fitter/ turner who started at Reading depot in 1953 and a review of the locomotive fleet on the Midland & South Western Junction Railway at the Grouping and later. Continuing inclusion of post-steam motive power this time covers diesel multiple units, and there is a study of the Marlow Branch, home of the ‘Donkey’. The usual ‘regular’ features appear: the latest Bulletin from the Great Western Trust, signalling matters, a further trawl of Dick Riley’s archives, and readers’ feedback in Guard’s Compartment.