It's 1972, and I'm slowly underlining all the numbers I have seen in my brand new Ian Allan Locoshed book. This pocket sized treasure not only contained vital allocations but also included a depot directory that proved invaluable as I grew older and ventured further afield. As I got older I was fortunate enough to participate in society organised coach trips that would visit various depots and stabling points. During these trips I took the opportunity to capture my experiences through photographs.
By the mid 1980's my interest in filing blossomed. I would hire video cameras to document my journeys, particularly my regular visits to Toton and Tinsley depots and some of the scrapyards, especially Vic Berry's.
In July 2018, I retired as a train driver, based at Oxford depot. A few years prior to my retirement, I had acquired my own video equipment and could often be seen out and about during breaks in my shift filming.
In 2013, following many requests from my work colleagues, I edited some footage from Oxford and had it produced into a DVD and made available to those interested.
For the final few years of my railway career I had covered the Ferry turn, so I titled the DVD, OXFORD MEMORIES - The Ferryman Tapes, which garnered much interest and positive feedback.
Encouraged by the response, I continued to edit and produce additional footage, ultimately creating five more DVD's that were well received by my colleagues.
By the time I retired, I had complied a series of six original programs and all have been updated and are available in the MEMORIES series.
Reflecting on my journey, I'm amazed at how much the railway landscape has changed since I first began filming. My passion for trains and the stories they tell continue to inspire my work and I'm excited to share these MEMORIES with enthusiasts through my DVD's which document the railway at a particular time.
I hope these and future programmes will give you as much pleasure and enjoyment as those first ones did for my former work colleagues.
I trust you too will enjoy the MEMORIES.
Roger Luland - Nov 2025.