Master Neverers Association
The Master Neverers Association ("MNA") were a group of photographers who set out to record the last days of steam on British Railways. "Never Again", a four volume set of books about their exploits and showing some of their finest 'master shots', was published in 2018.[1]
A number of members of the group have associations with the SVR.
Contents
Contents
Activities
Members of the Association travelled widely around the country, often sleeping in P-way huts, barns, hay lofts, signal boxes, waiting rooms and empty coaching stock. They would visit engine sheds, sometimes clandestinely in the early hours of the morning, to clean engines which they knew were working the following day and wanted to photograph. In their efforts to get the best position for their ‘master shot’ they would sometimes wade into rivers or climb trees, telegraph poles and even HV pylons. Other activities included repainting tunnel mouth insignia and name boards, and making wooden replica nameplates and number plates for locomotives. Footplate crews would sometimes be 'persuaded' to put on a good show, and members would 'blag' a footplate ride from time to time, including a 98mph run on City of Coventry up the Trent Valley in the weeks before the loco was withdrawn.
After photographing the "Fifteen Guinea Special" on 11 August 1968, the last BR steam working, the MNA retired to the Station Inn at Ribblehead to 'seek solace'. Since then the surviving members have held an annual reunion there which they attend whenever possible[1].
Members
The 'members' of the MNA whose work appeared in "Never Again" were:
- John Barnes
- Mick Becke
- Tony Bending; Tony joined the SVRS in 1966. Volunteering lifetime spent with the Locomotive Department at Bridgnorth; retired as a driver in 2020. Director of the Guarantee Company since 1973, and also a director of SVR(H).
- Jim Bodfish; Jim joined the SVRS in 1966. He progressed from loco cleaner to fireman and driver, and later signalman at Hampton Loade, Highley and Bridgnorth. A supporter of many locomotive funds including 43106 and 1501, and a staunch member of the Bridgnorth P Way gang until his death in 2012.[2] His photographic collection is held by Kidderminster Railway Museum.[1]
- Tony "Gus" Bowles
- Maurice Burns
- Alan Castle "Cattle"; Alan was involved in the restoration of 47383 and later with painting of other locomotives including 45110.[1] His photograph collection is held by the Manchester Locomotive Society.
- Bob Clarke
- Paul Claxton
- Mike Collins
- Derek Cope
- Bernard Crick; Joint organiser of the Manchester Rail Travel Society involved with the purchase and restoration of 47383
- Gerald Dixon
- John Everitt
- Dave Gouldthorp
- Ken Groundwater
- Ken Hale
- John Hunt
- Derek Huntriss
- Ian Krause
- Dave Lacey; Joined the SVRS in 1966. Joined the Locomotive Department at Bridgnorth upon its formation. Steam loco cleaner, fireman and then driver for many years. More recently a regular member of the Severn Valley Venturer dining train staff.[3]
- Terry Mann; Volunteer at Bewdley and Kidderminster booking offices for over 30 years.[1]
- Pete Proud
- Paul Riley; One of Britain's leading railway photographers, whose pictures regularly appeared in SVR publicity. Paul was killed in a fall from Victoria Bridge in 1976.[4] His black and white photographic collection is held by Kidderminster Railway Museum.
- Ian Robb "Bert"; SVR MPD volunteer in the 1970s, particularly working on 47383.[1]
- Tim Stephens
- Allan Stewart
- John Toy
- Chris Weston
- David Wilkinson
- David Williams; See Main article
- Mick York; See Main article
References
Links
The Railway Magazine, Never Again Publishing (retrieved 24 December 2020)