The Rotary Club of Anstruther was pleased to welcome Mr Andrew Hajducki as speaker to its meeting of 30th September.

Andrew is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and an author on the topic of the railways of
The East Neuk of Fife. We were entertained to a lavishly illustrated talk on the history of the railways that, for a century or more, faithfully carried coal, potatoes, fish, farmers and tourists.

We saw how the quite extensive railway network – for such it was - developed to its heyday and then fell into decline. Intriguing pictures of locomotives, rolling stock, stations, signal boxes, camping coaches – and even some of the stylish posters advertising enticing visits. Some rare pictures too – the 1857 Leven & East Fife Railway locomotive number 1, the Drummond 4-4-0 number 101 tank engine ‘Anstruther’, ‘Black Fives’ an early electric-powered engine, tank engines for the RAF line at Leuchars, the Guardbridge paper company line, DCL private rolling stock and a paddle steamer docked at Largo harbour.

We also heard something of the social history connected with the railways. The Fife Coast Express bringing holidaymakers, with men often travelling back and forth to Glasgow or Edinburgh on business, whilst families holidayed. Donkeys on the beach at Elie. Lundin Links built by the Standard Life Company as a ‘golf suburb’ – houses built, but apparently no sewers! We heard of Suffragettes burning down Leuchars station - and even of Waid Academy ‘upper- stream’ pupils travelling by rail, whilst all others had to take the bus! How times have changed.  

And in the end it was the coming of bus transport that led to the decline and ultimate demise of these local rail services, finally hastened by Dr Beeching.

A memorable talk and, following questions, an appreciative vote of thanks was proposed by club member George Lyons.