I hope l am wrong but it looks as though our planned steam operation to Aylesbury in September will not run owing to the lack of rolling stock. Our last appeal for funds to increase our fleet of carriages yielded sufficient to acquire just one carriage. We need at least one more to form a working rake. However even then it could not be guaranteed that we would be able to run them on BR; according to reports the present inspections are currently proving to be more onerous and costly per carriage than for a steam locomotive. We are currently looking further into the requirements but there is no doubt that without the necessary carriages to be inspected the operation is a non-starter; so do please re-assess your finances! Please contact me if you can help.

With the privatisation of the railways getting nearer by the day opportunities will undoubtedly arise, and it is possible that the new inspectorate will take a different attitude to inspections and allow the standards currently allowed on preserved lines to be universal, albeit with speed limits imposed.

Aylesbury Vale District Council and Bucks: County Council have both offered fu~ancial help towards the point connection with BR but there are time limits; so hopefully buy the time you read this something positive will be happening.

I am pleased to report that Colin Ashman has been appointed Director of Operations (railways) succeeding Bruce Murray. It is important that Colin has a number of skilled assistants to share the burden of work for which this position is responsible. So, those with a sound knowledge of the Rule Book, and preferably passed out to drive diesel and/or steam locomotives, please offer your services to Colin. Likewise, John Carter as Director of Engineering needs more competent people to take responsibility and spread his workload.

Aylesbury Vale District Council and Bucks: County Council have both offered fu~ancial help towards the point connection with BR but there are time limits; so hopefully buy the time you read this something positive will be happening.

The Executive Committee is planning to put an organization chart up in the restoration building so that members know who to approach on a particular subject. If you would like your name to appear on this chart please speak to the relevant director.

A look at the evolution of steam railway preservation over the years fills me with much optimism for our Centre. The evolution has generally gone something along the following lines:

1. Branch lines preserved offering steam train rides.
2. Variety of steam motive power mcreases.
3. Rolling stock upgraded.
4. 'Wine and dine' trade growing.
5. Locomotive swapping introduced.
6. Footplate courses.
7. Goods trains introduced.

Every step introduces more variety and interest to capture the customers. Where will it end? BRC might lack many things but it does not lack the ability to provide variety. If we can meet the demands of just a tenth of Phil Marsh's (Director of Marketing) ideas we shall be well ahead of the competition!

The Bletchley-Claydon line was mothballed by BR at the end of May, and the Claydon-Bicester stretch in July: the Bristol rubbish trains are now routed via Quainton. The mothballing was done without a fanfare; the opportunity to raise money from this was missed. Our approach to BR to do something was met with a response that they had their own plans to run some final trains. In the event all the final trains started from far afield, offering local people little chance to ride.

Since this line was dear to me, having used it daily for years travelling to school in Bletchley from Winslow and with frequent trips to Oxford. I was anxious to say my farewells to it. The train in question started at Carnforth and was due to all at Quainton Road for a photo stop, hauled by two Class 31 diesels. l joined it at Nuneaton but it got diverted at Claydon to Oxford. Most of the passengers had consumed their beer rations before Bletchley and were fast asleep over the 'critical stretch'! These diesel enthusiasts are a different breed!). However, for some twenty minutes l could indulge myself and imagine I was back on the school train home with my old favourite Class 5 45021 up front. The stories of the escapades on the school train during the hour long wait for it came flooding back.

Its a pity there is no longer a suitable railhead at Bletchley to make this line commercially viable for preservation:- the bay platform and bridge have gone, all traffic being over the flyover onto either electrified lines, or the busy Bedford branch. As mentioned above. the rubbish traffic through Quainton has increased, somewhat reducing the changes of the line closing. However, the pit owners have applied for planning permission for a new road from the A4 l for their traffic, so who knows?

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1993 and so does not reflect events in the 20+ 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:
Chairman's Jottings - Andrew Bratton - Quainton News No. 73 - September 1993