Photo:
J R Fairman - Cunarder, now on the Swanage Railway, was always an attractive performer. It arrived on 24th April 1969 and left in March 1976. The photograph is dated 2nd April 1972.

Photo:
J R Fairman - Another locomotive we hope to see in service again one day is Sir Thomas. The informality of those 1970 days is typified by the spartan accommodation for passengers in the Midland Railway open wagon. (Curse that telegraph pole!)

Photo:
J R Fairman - On 28th March 1970, the Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST, repainted in 1985 in Furness Railway red lively and lettered Millom Haematite Ore & Iron Company Limited, was still in working order and heads a well loaded train in the down yard.

Photo:
J R Fairman - Banished for over fourteen years in the up yard is Juno. Once upon a time it did useful work for the Society in the Open Days. Here, on 28th March 1970, the Austerity 0-6-0ST leaves the station on a short working with the GNR six-wheeled brake third.

Photo:
J R Fairman - Finally, No. 3, another Society engine, worked at Easter 1973 on a mixed train: a coach and a wagon. Major boiler repairs have been awaited for eleven years on No. 3.

Do you remember some of those Open Days fifteen years ago? Days when passengers were herded into open wagons and the drop side doors had to be lifted and pinned shut? Days when we had John Hutchings' narrow gauge engine, Holy War steaming on a short length of 2ft. track and emerging from its container? Do you recall those fairground amusements in the down yard, the roundabouts and the swinging boats? Those were the days when the Society was younger - and so were we! Perhaps this is an excuse to wheel out some of the older pictures from the archives! I hope you will enjoy looking at some of the scenes of yesteryear, once upon a time!

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1986 and so does not reflect events in the 25+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
Once Upon a Time! - Quainton News No. 59 - Spring 1986