Our railway archives: A journey through time

Our 2016 Christmas lunch was at the Angel Rotherhithe, with special guest John Robinson providing an insight into Railway Chaplain duties. 12 sat down for lunch. Also included the inauguration of Roger as the new Honourable Secretary effective 2017 by the outgoing Hon Sec Mr vdP. (28)

Looking downstream on the Thames with the Angel pub to the right of the photo.

A very special trip by invite to the Southern Selhurst Traincare Depot. Following on from the MiRaCle Christmas 2016 lunch, interest was expressed by several members to visit a working train depot. With the aid of Dudley and John Robinson who came along as a guest to the lunch, we were able to make contact with Stu Berry the Admin Manager and the visit was duly agreed and organised. With 11 members and friends attending. We departed London Bridge on the 10.10 service to West Croydon and alighted at Selhurst. With a simple walk from the station we arrived at the depot. We were greeted and shown around the cleaning shed, the repair shed; the maintenance shed and then finally had a shunting experience whereby we had a short journey on a class 377 into the maintenance shed. All in all, a most memorable and enjoyable experience, all the staff who looked after us, gave us a grand day out. We then returned back home via various routes. (32)

Inside Selhurst Traincare Depot being shown the maintenance area.

Nene Valley Railway visit. 9 members and friends journeyed up from Kings Cross (Len [SAAL], Jackie, Claire, Patrick, John, Roger [Hon Sec], Brian & Jim L + President) to Peterborough on Virgin East Coast and met up with Dudley (Northern branch) and Malcolm from the North Norfolk Railway. We walked to the Nene Valley Railway from city centre, train taken from Peterborough Nene Valley Station up to Yarwell. Very enjoyable day and weather was a bonus. Saw a sorry looking Flying Scotsman at Wansford by the sheds. Took lunch in the café and explored around the station. Made our way back to Peterborough and after saying our goodbyes headed back home – north, south and east! (34)

Photo of members and friends at Wansford station.

Our 2018 Junction trip was to Hampton Court running through Hampton Court Junction. Lunch was taken at the Prince of Wales. We took a South Western Railway service from Waterloo. A cold & crisp day albeit sunny, we walked across Hampton Court bridge over the Thames and saw Hampton Court Palace. Attendees were Roger, Brian, Len, Malcolm, Patrick & Jim. SAAL provided apple brandy and very good it was as well! Our MiRaCle trips for 2018 with dates were discussed. (36)

Returning from Hampton Court and passing near to the junction heading back towards London.

Ely trip, a journey from Kings Cross via Cambridge to Ely. We had an enjoyable lunch at the Prince Albert pub and a look inside at the amazing Ely cathedral. We experienced Great Northern operational hiccups en route, our train left Kings X at 10.12 with extra stops inserted, arriving at Cambridge where our driver could not take the service onwards to Ely as he was not passed to drive the route. Some 30 mins later the following service to Kings Lynn arrived and we caught this to Ely. Attendees Roger (Hon Sec); Len (SAAL), Patrick, Brian & Jim (the President), we met up with Dudley (Northern member & Malcolm (East Anglia member) at Ely. Return journey from Ely, our 4 car unit should have couple to 8 cars at Cambridge, but these units were not available. Although we had seats, the train was packed. Nevertheless this did not spoil our day. We were back at Kings X around 10 past 5. The weather again was a bonus. (38)

Members at Ely standing by Great Northern class 387 EMU.

A very interesting visit to Woodbridge Tide Mill – From Liverpool Street departing at 10.00 and heading to Ipswich where Malcolm NNR rep joined us from Norwich. A short journey was taken from Ipswich on the East Suffolk line to Woodbridge. Lunch was at The Anchor and then a walk to the Tide Mill. Other members / friends were Roger (Hon Sec); Len (SAAL); Brian, Patrick, Colin, Dennis and Jim (President). Saw the demo where tidal water stored in the mill pond was released and worked the water wheel and mill components, very interesting and informative. We returned via Ipswich back to our respective homes. (40)

Members at Woodbridge with Tide Mill in the background.

Our 5th Christmas lunch at the Angel Rotherhithe with the return of special guest John Robinson, Railway Chaplain. 16 of us sat down for lunch. Members and friends attending were Patrick, Mike, Malcolm, Brian, Roger (Hon Sec), Pam, Dennis, Len (SAAL), Ian, Jim L, Jeffrey, Samson, Dudley, Colin, guest John and Jim the President. (42)

Members and friends at the Angel for Christmas lunch.

An amazing opportunity and experience, a special trip to the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) due to SAAL’s church connections. Our trip took 7 of us from London Euston to Birmingham New Street (Virgin Trains), short walk across to Birmingham Moor Street and onto Kidderminster (West Midland Trains) and to the SVR. We were joined by 3 other members and enjoyed our day courtesy of Phil Swallow owner of inspection saloon ‘Caroline’ and hauled by Bullied West Country steam locomotive Taw Valley on 2 round trips to Bridgnorth and back. A light breakfast, buffet lunch & afternoon tea were duly provided along with excellent commentary from Phil Swallow. An excellent day and well looked after by the staff of the SVR including Beth. Attendees from Euston were Len; SAAL, Jackie, Patrick, Colin, Tim, Roger; Hon Sec and Jim; EP with an early start 06:43 service. We were joined at Kidderminster by Brian, Helen & Dudley. Our return from Kidderminster to Birmingham Snow Hill (West Midlands Train) and changed there to a Chiltern Railway service back to London Marylebone arriving at 20:37, a long day but most memorable. (44)

Members and friends taken at the SVR Bridgnorth station.

GWR Didcot Railway Centre (a return visit – last visited over 3 years ago) – all things Great Western Railway with steam demonstration services in action. Attendees were Roger, Malcolm, Colin and Jim starting out from London Paddington on a GWR Class 800 IET with a very fast run picking up at Reading where Tim joined us. We headed to Didcot Parkway with a brief stop for lunch at the Prince of Wales pub just outside the station. Then into the Railway Centre and enjoyed a day around the exhibits with live running from GWR Saint Class Lady of Legend 2999 and Collett GWR tank loco 1450 with auto trailer. Very enjoyable despite the grey slightly damp day which did not spoil the fun. Returned by GWP IET train again with spirited high-speed performance (125mph recorded) back to Reading & Paddington. (46)

Photo taken inside the GWR Transfer Shed (between standard & broad gauges) at Didcot.

Our 7th junction trip headed to Shenfield on the TfL Rail service from London Liverpool Street. Shenfield at one time being known as Shenfield & Hutton Junction until 1969. TfL Rail services will become Crossrail – the Elizabeth Line once the central core under London is open sometime in mid-2021. Our outward journey was on the new class 345 Crossrail unit to Shenfield which serves all stations. An enjoyable lunch at The Hutton Junction with MiRaCle members Roger, Malcolm, Jim L, Tim, Brian, Patrick, Dudley, Colin & Jim. Our return for 7 members back to Liverpool St was by the quicker Greater Anglia service. (48)

Photo of members after lunch at the Hutton Junction pub, Shenfield.

Our 2nd MiRaCle trip since February 2020 - a revisit to the Goblin line (Gospel Oak to Barking), this time we traversed from east to west. A convoluted set of train journeys starting from London Fenchurch Street.
1. Fenchurch St on c2c 10.34 arr Barking 10.48.
2. Barking Overground Goblin dep 11.09, Gospel Oak arr 11.44
3. Gospel Oak Overground NLL dep 11.52, Highbury & Islington arr 12.02
4. Highbury & Islington Great Northern dep 12.08, Alexandra Palace arr 12.22
Lunch at the Starting Gate around 12.45 to just before 14.45
5. A circular Great Northern (GN) trip Alexandra Palace Great Northern dep 15.02, Stevenage (via Hertford North) arr 15.45
6. Returned from Stevenage Thameslink via East Coast main line dep 16.17
St Pancras International arr 16.44
On the trip were Roger, Patrick, Tim, Colin, Malcolm, Bob P & Jim. Interesting variety of new trains experienced on the different routes around North East London and into Hertfordshire. A good day out and the weather wasn’t too bad. (50)

Photo taken at Gospel Oak Overground station.

Our first trip for 2022 and our 10th anniversary of MiRaCle (formed 20 Feb 2012). Patrick, Len (SAAL), Malcolm, Roger (Hon Sec), Colin and Jim (President) met at London Waterloo and made our way down to Effingham Junction with Tim joining us at Surbiton. Got off the train to look around Effingham Junction with photos taken. Then continued onto Guildford where we explored the town heading toward Millmead where lunch was taken at the Britannia, very enjoyable. Then looked at the old castle with views overlooking the town. We returned back to the station and made our respective ways back to our homes. (52)

Photo taken at Effingham Junction before heading into Guildford.

Elizabeth Line Exploration part 1, members met at Paddington Main Line station in order to explore the new Elizabeth Line. Our first stop after departing Paddington Low Level was Tottenham Court Road. We then proceeded to Liverpool Street where the unusual 45-degree incline lift was sampled. We met Claire on the main line station concourse. 11 of us then proceeded to Canary Wharf where we investigated the Crossrail Place roof top garden. From there we re-joined the Elizabeth Line and headed east to Abbey Wood (terminus of the south east branch of the Elizabeth Line). We then returned westbound and at Whitechapel changed to underground line services to Aldgate East and proceeded to the Halal in Alie Street for our lunch. From there we headed back to our respective homes. Attendees were Roger (Hon Sec), Len (SAAL), Jackie, Claire, Bob, Dudley, Colin, Tim, Malcolm, Patrick and Jim (President). (54)

Inside the new Elizabeth Line class 345 EMU.

Our first trip for 2023 with a difference! N1CE (Northern Line Extension / Lift 109 / Thames Clipper) – with Patrick, Len (DT), Malcolm (Windmills and Tide Mills), Roger (Hon Sec), Colin, Tim (SAAL) SER Bob and Jim (President) met at London Waterloo (Malcolm we met at Battersea Power Station). We made our way to Battersea Power Station on the new Northern Line Extension. At the Power Station, 7 of us experienced Lift 109 (109 meters above sea level) in a lift which is inside one of the power station chimneys. From the power station, we caught an Uber Thames Clipper boat from Battersea Power Station pier down to Tower Pier. Then lunch at the Halal Alie Street, afterwards making our way back to respective homes. (56)

Inside the Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station with views looking over London.

Our Southend on Sea clockwise Circular trip. 10 of us (Patrick, Brian, Len (DT), Malcolm (Windmills and Tide Mills & NNR Rep), Roger (Hon Sec), Colin, Tim (SAAL), Dudley (Northern Branch), SER Bob and Jim (President) assembled at London Liverpool St catching the Greater Anglia 10.55 service to Southend Victoria. An enjoyable lunch at The Olde Trout Inn followed by a stroll through the town towards Southend Pier. Some of the group took the Pier Railway to the end and back and a handful walked the length of the pier 1.34 miles to the end, taking the train back to the shore 1.25 miles. We then returned using the c2c service from Southend Central back to London Fenchurch Street around 3.45pm time. A most enjoyable day out to the Thames estuary and Southend Pier. (58)

The famous pier at Southend-on-Sea on the Thames estuary. 

MiRaCle members assembled at London Paddington for a GWR high speed run to Swindon, although delays experienced en-route due to signalling issues and SOS button pressed by someone on the IEP before Didcot! Lunch taken at The Queens Tap just outside Swindon railway station. Then a walk to Steam, the GWR museum situated in the former GWR locomotive works. Impressive display of railway items, ranging from interactive exhibits to a King and Castle class steam locomotives. A very enjoyable day with Roger (Hon Sec), Tim (SAAL), Malcolm (Windmills and Tide Mills & NNR Rep), Colin, Patrick, Dudley (Northern branch), SER Bob, Brian and Jim (El P). A fast run with speeds up to 125mph experienced for our return back to London Paddington. (60)

Inside Steam, the GWR museum at Swindon.

Our first trip for 2024 the Pompey Circular. Set out from London Victoria on a Southern service to Portsmouth & South Sea, but with a change at Havant. Approx 25 mins delay with the following service which was due to run direct to Portsmouth Harbour but was terminated short at Fratton where we had to change for a following service to Portsmouth Harbour. Nice lunch at the Ship Anson and exploration afterwards around the dock area. Returned on a South Western Railway service back to London Waterloo with Patrick, Len (DT), Brian, Malcolm (Windmills and Tide Mills), Roger (Hon Sec), Colin, Tim (SAAL) SER Bob and Jim (President). (62)

HMS Warrior at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Members and friends gathered at Ipswich Railway station after journeying from London Liverpool Street and Diss on Greater Anglia services. From Ipswich we made our way to Woodbridge and an enjoyable lunch was taken at the Anchor. We then all proceeded to the Tide Mill and saw the mill in operation when the stored water was released from the pond to work the equipment. Then back to Woodbridge for a train to Ipswich where members and friends parted making our way back to London and Diss. Those in attendance were Roger (Hon Sec), Patrick, Brian, Colin, Malcolm, Len, Jackie, Clare and Jim (El P). (64)

Photo of Woodbridge Tide Mill, in Suffolk.

Kent Circular. Members gathered at London Victoria and headed on a Southeastern service to Broadstairs via Bromley South and Rochester. After a short walk down to the sea, lunch was taken at the very nice The Charles Dickens pub on the sea front. Headed back to Broadstairs station and caught a Javelin onwards to Ramsgate where we changed to a further Javelin service and headed back to central London via, Dover and Ashford International where we joined HS1 for a high-speed journey back to St Pancras International via Ebbsfleet International and Stratford International with speeds of up to 138mph, then making our way back to our respective homes. Those in attendance were Roger (Hon Sec), Tim (SAAL), Patrick, Brian, Colin, Malcolm, SER Bob and Jim (El P). (66)

Photo of members after an enjoyable lunch at The Charles Dickens pub in Broadstairs.

Our first 2025 trip to visit Bletchley Park. We joined a London Northwestern Railway service from London Euston catching 09.56 fast service to Bletchley. An interesting day with a lot of history to see from the 2nd World War period and how they cracked the Enigma machine. Lunch was also taken at Bletchley Park. Members and friends in attendance were Roger (Hon Sec), Tim (SAAL), Malcolm (Windmills, Tide mills and NNR rep), Colin, Patrick, John, Philip and Jim (El P). Delays encountered on return journey back to London Euston from Bletchley. (68)

Photo of Bletchley Park Mansion.

Our 2025 preserved railway trip to the Spa Valley Railway starting out from London Bridge and heading to Eridge on a Southern DMU service. From Eridge, we headed to Tunbridge Wells West where lunch was taken at the Smith & Western. Returning back to Eridge on the Spa Valley we enjoyed a quick drink in the Huntsman pub in Eridge before heading back to London on a Southern service and then home. With Tim (SAAL); Roger (Hon Sec); Len (C-H); Patrick; Colin; Brian; John; SER Bob and Jim. A very enjoyable day with further new railway mileage experienced. (70)

Photo taken at the Spa Valley Railway station at Eridge.

Our 2025 Christmas / Festive lunch with a further return to the Mayflower, Rotherhithe. Members and friends in attendance were Roger (Hon Sec), Len (C-H), Malcolm (Windmills, Tide mills and NNR rep), Patrick, Dudley (Northern branch), Brian, John and Jim (El P). A very enjoyable lunch with our 2026 plans discussed. (72)

Rotherhithe looking up the Thames towards the city before heading into the Mayflower for Christmas lunch.