Help find the Steam Queens (From Daily Echo)

Help find the 1962 Steam Queens of Riverside Park in Southampton

5:51pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

CALLING Southampton’s ‘steam queens’!

Half a century ago, in 1962, mum Elizabeth Reeves and her two daughters, Susan, aged six, and five-yearold Linda, were the first passengers to ride on the city’s miniature railway at Riverside Park.

Now the Southampton Society of Model Engineers, which operates the track in Bitterne Park, is searching for the trio, pictured on the train, to invite them back to celebrate the railway’s golden anniversary.

David Goyder, from the society, said: “In 1987, the Daily Echo found our first passengers, some 25 years older, and they were our special guests at the railway’s silver jubilee.

“Now this Saturday, at 3.30pm, we will be re-enacting the inauguration of the railway track, but it will not be complete without our very own ‘steam queens’. Unfortunately we have lost contact with them so we are appealing, again through the Daily Echo, for them to get in touch so they can join us once more for this important anniversary.’’ In 1987 Mrs Reeves was living in Shirley, Southampton, while her daughters Susan Thackeray and Linda webb were in West End and Marchwood respectively.

• Contact the Southampton Society of Model Engineers by telephoning the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4520 or you can contact them by email on: newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk