A South Lakeland group for railway history enthusiasts has arranged a winter programme of talks dealing with everything from the restortion of famous steam locomotove Flying Scotsman to the breaking of the General Strike in the industrial depression days of 1926.

The Kendal-based South Lakeland Centre of The Stephenson Locomotive Society holds its meetings from 7.30pm in the St John Ambulance Centre, just off Sandes Avenue. All are welcome.

The talks series starts tomorrow, October 5, with a presentation by Simon Holroyd called Re-assembling of Flying Scotsman.

This steam-powered giant has been a British transport icon since 1923 and has had made adventures and restoration projects.

In the 1970s it was based at Steamtown Carnforth and was delievered to Barrow shipyard for repairs.

Its most recent major overhaul was at the York National Railway Museum.

On November 2 Ian Clark will look at the evolution of rail tours.

These were often arranged as private "last runs" on branch lines or industrial railway system which were about to close.

Rather than standard carriages, enthusiasts would frequntly be called on to stand in old brake vans, pointing their cameras out of the open wooden doors at anything old and railway-related.

There is a Christmas social evening on December 7 and the January 4 meeting sees John Bateson give a presentation on Oxenholme railway station and its surroundings.

Dr Robin Smith is the guest speaker on February 1 with the title How the General Strike was Broken.

He will look at the role ofstriking trade unionists and the use of volunteer "blacklegs" on the railways to keep some essential services running.

Peter Fitton's talk on March 1 is about railways in Yorkshire while on April 5 the theme for Michael Davies will be an illustrated tour of Irish railways.

You can get further details from organiser Philip Heyes on 01539 725658 or send an email to jphilipheyes@aol.com

The national society's website can be found at www.stephensonloco.org.uk