Alasdair Wham – Forgotten Railways Tuesday 21st November

President Craig, Alasdair Wham and Craig Alexander

Alasdair Wham, author and railway enthusiast was the guest speaker at Ayr Rotary Club on Tuesday evening. Using many old black and white photographs, he took us on a journey through tunnels and over viaducts, comparing the past glory days of railways with the disused relicts of today. Exceptions were the intact but disused magnificent Big Water of Fleet Viaduct in Galloway which carried the Dumfries to Stranraer rail line. Being an Ayr man, much of his focus was on Ayr and surrounding areas. Alasdair’s audience were informed, entertained and educated about many bygone sites and events. The Balmont Halt was a VIP stop for those special passengers who attended the races. The great escape of Italian prisoners of war during a bitterly cold night in 1944 who tried to use the rail lines as an escape route and Glenside, the private station of the Kennedy family of Culzean. On many occasions, the Graces Guide directory on railways and trains was referred to by Alasdair as an excellent source of photographic and historical information.

Craig Alexander gave a worthy vote of thanks.

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