About the Society
The RCTS is Britain’s leading organisation for people interested in all aspects of railways past, present and future and is highly regarded by both professional railway people and enthusiasts, a position it has held since its formation in 1928.
The RCTS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, number 1169995. Our VAT number is GB197343335. More about Governance of the Society.
Click the image to view a sample edition
Guests
Try out the Society as a guest. Most of the meetings and events are open to visitors.
Donations appreciated.
The Railway Observer
All members receive the Society's magazine online, and a print edition (usually 72 pages) is posted to those choosing a "Printed" membership category.
The magazine covers the current railway scene, including extensive coverage of significant and interesting movements, plus an infrastructure and events update. Urban, Irish and International news is included, together with the latest news from Heritage lines.
Society activities, branch meetings, outdoor visits and rail tours are well represented, as are reviews of the latest publications.
Membership rates for new joiners
Printed RO Membership includes posting of the print edition of The Railway Observer
| Online RO | £10.00 |
| Printed RO UK | £16.50 |
| Printed RO Europe | £26.00 |
| Printed RO Rest of World | £33.00 |
New joiners are benefiting from a "Welcome" discount of 50%. Sign up for Direct Debit and save a further £1.
Volunteering
The Society is run entirely by volunteers, at branch level and nationally. If you have some spare time, and maybe some specialist skills, there are many ways you can help
- Publishing
- Image preparation
- Archiving
- Speaking
- Managing events
- Software development
- Administration
- Research
- Authorship
- Librarianship
News
2023 Members’ Day and AGM
Retiring Chairman Callum MacLeod (right) shaking hands with Chairman-elect James Milne (left), both flanking President Rev Canon Brian Arman. All are holding an unusual straight nameplate from GWR 6000 Class…
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Two new books
This is a comprehensively illustrated history of the first generation DMUs explaining the background behind their introduction, their workings and later modifications. Coverage is by class and the pictures show…
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Members’ Weekend 2022 report
This year’s Members’ Weekend (and Officers’ Conference) was based at the Novotel in Reading, 21st-23rd October. We’re pleased to present several visit reports and a selection of photographs taken by…
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Locomotives of the LNER relaunched
The picture above shows the frontispiece from Part 6A – a magnificent, evocative image of an LNER Class J38 hard at work in Scotland. The picture now graces the cover…
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Barrow Hill 150+2 Gala
Barrow Hill Roundhouse held its 150+2 Gala 26th-28th August 2022. The 150th anniversary of the venerable roundhouse had been delayed by Covid, hence the “+2”. The RCTS was pleased to…
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Book launch – The Royal Scots
The Society is pleased to announce the publication of the latest volume in its Locomotives of the LMS series. This book is a detailed history of the LMS Royal Scot…
Read MoreUpcoming events
Virtual events coming up...
There is programme of National events held online, typically monthly. Some branches run them too. Members from any branch may attend and guests are very welcome. There is no charge but donations would be appreciated to help defray the costs.
Pre-registration (on Zoom) is required. Open the event to find the registration link, and the donations link.
Meeting attendances are normally limited to 100.
On today
- No events scheduled for 12-May-2023. Jump to the next upcoming events.
- No events scheduled for 12-May-2023. Jump to the next upcoming events.
Please always use https://rcts.org.uk. Users of https://www.rcts.org.uk cannot advance the month.
A fix will be applied at a quiet time for the website.
Society full calendar
Visit the branch pages to discover upcoming events in your specific area.
Calendar of Events
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European Misadventures, by Michael Reade
European Misadventures, by Michael Reade
'European Misadventures', by Michael Reade, 2nd May 2023: Michael was fortunate enough to have employment as an advertising sales manager for several trade and technical publications with European advertisers which…
1 event,
3 events,
“Lost Loco’s, Lost Locations” – Ted Parker
“Lost Loco’s, Lost Locations” – Ted Parker
Please note this is an afternoon meeting to be held in the Church and not the usual meeting room.
Journey from Kings Cross to York, with Stephen Gay
Journey from Kings Cross to York, with Stephen Gay
Stephen Gay makes a welcome return to take us on a journey on the East Coast Main Line from Kings Cross to York, with images from 40 years ago to…
1 event,
The Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery
Ian’s talk on the robbery is the result of years of research and fact finding together with his personal goal being, how on earth do you stop a express train…
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4 events,
Sir Nigel Gresley: The LNER’s First C.M.E.
Sir Nigel Gresley: The LNER’s First C.M.E.
Having previously given us a presentation on Edward Thompson, Gresley Society member Simon A. C. Martin returns to tell us about his predecessor, Sir Nigel Gresley, who he has been…
Aspects of Southern Steam
Aspects of Southern Steam
For out last meeting of the 2022/23 season we are delighted to welcome Brian Benford for his talk on 'Aspects of Southern Steam'.
More From The Peter Bland Collection
More From The Peter Bland Collection
A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Bryan Cross. Doors open 19:00.
3 events,
Railways Around Radyr
Railways Around Radyr
A TfW Class 150 heads into Radyr past Radyr Weir in January 2023. The masts for the electrification of the Core Valley Network will finish Jeremy Segrott and Peter Fortune's…
Diesels in the Peak District – Phil Lockwood & Enid Vincent
Diesels in the Peak District – Phil Lockwood & Enid Vincent
Peak District photos and stories from Phil and Enid from the period 1975-2019. Also includes rail connected cement works and quarries Recommended Donations:- RCTS Members £3, Guests £4
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The John Wells Collection – Part 1 – 1952/ 1958 – Chris Berridge / Bryan Acford
The John Wells Collection – Part 1 – 1952/ 1958 – Chris Berridge / Bryan Acford
John Wells was born in 1935 and having been evacuated to Sandy, Bedfordshire, during the 2nd World War lived there for many years. After school he worked for a large insurance…
Railtours and Specials-The last forty years by John Day.
Railtours and Specials-The last forty years by John Day.
Owing to our booked speaker being unavailable John will present the above from his extensive collection.
The Great Eastern Railway: ‘Rarely other than Idiosynchratic’
The Great Eastern Railway: ‘Rarely other than Idiosynchratic’
Following the openings, in successive years, of the significant London main line stations at London Bridge, Euston and then Paddington, there followed a minor station in Mile End as the…
2 events,
North Staffordshire Railways (Part 2)
North Staffordshire Railways (Part 2)
Part II of the North Staffs talk covers the line from Derby to Uttoxeter and then onwards to Stoke. We then continue to Kidsgrove via the Harecastle diversions, and then…
3 events,
An Other Evening with Jim Sedgwick
An Other Evening with Jim Sedgwick
(Change of speaker) Jim's photos are superb and often of unusual locations taken in the 1950's to early 1960's.
Eurostar – Signalling High Speed Connections Across Europe
Eurostar – Signalling High Speed Connections Across Europe
Eurostar - Signalling High Speed Connections Across Europe
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The 1968 Hixon level crossing disaster
The 1968 Hixon level crossing disaster
Prepare to be shocked tonight when you see the attitude to safety in the 1960s compared with today
Railways in the Cambridge Area Part 2 by David Scudamore
Railways in the Cambridge Area Part 2 by David Scudamore
RCTS member David Scudamore continues with Part 2 of his look at railways in the Cambridge area
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1 event,
Lynton & Barnstaple Railway
Lynton & Barnstaple Railway
"The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow". The first half of Mike's talk covers the period from pre 1898 (when the line opened) to the closure in…
1 event,
May 2023 National Zoom Meeting
May 2023 National Zoom Meeting
Currently being arranged: at present just a date for your diary, details will be added when available.
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Railtours and Specials from the 1980’s
Railtours and Specials from the 1980’s
A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by John Day. Doors open 13:30. Note: This is at the new venue in Digswell, Welwyn.
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Members' area
The latest edition of The Railway Observer, plus back copies from 2012
Details of benefits available to RCTS members
The directory of Society officers
Officers' administration tools
RCTS-branded clothing sales
Membership renewals for 2023 [opens October 2022]
Branches
The Society has a national network of 28 branches. Each branch has its own committee and operates its own programme of events. Members are assigned to a home branch but are welcome to take part in other branches' activities.
Guests are always welcome.
Venues
Some branches have more than one regular meeting venue. Click any of the dots on the map to visit the branch page which contains details of contacts, venues, and events.
The map is interactive. You can pan and zoom to see more. Press the green Reset button to start again.
Features
The Society has several online information services maintained by our dedicated and knowledgeable members. The various features are regularly updated, and we welcome contributions from members and non-members alike.
Each feature has a editor. Click the images to explore.
Diesel Dilemmas
Mysteries and anomalies in the modification and disposal history of British Railways diesel locomotives.
Carriage Conundrums
Mysteries and anomalies in the modification and disposal history of British Railways locomotive hauled coaching stock.
Preserved Coaches
Additions, deletions, movements and modifications to lists of preserved railway rolling stock, regularly updated.
Haulage Highlights
Seasonal services, relief trains, special events and unusual routes, mostly with diesel traction.
Query Corner
Written queries and answers are published here and in The Railway Observer
“Our” Locos
A number of locomotives have proudly carried The Railway Observer nameplate or been associated with the Society. No, we don't own these locomotives, but they are thought of as "ours".
TOPS Reference Data
The Society maintains several datasets of TOPS data for Cl.01/5, Cl.89, Cl.97 and Cl.98 Locomotives, Depot Codes and Locomotive Pool Codes, all of which are regularly updated.
NEW - John Knight's Database of Railway Photography
John Knight is a picture researcher. His database of southern and western England records details of 172,000 images published in 6,500 books.
This RCTS Feature initially opens on an interactive map. When you zoom in, each yellow dot represents a camera location. The background can be changed between contemporary maps, satellite images, and historical Ordnance Survey maps - including the detailed 1:10,560 Series. The dot has a reference number for subsequent searches. Please allow a few seconds for the map to load fully.
There are several other tabs alongside the map. One is the User Guide which explains what data is available and how to undertake searches.
Other tabs are lists of books, authors, photographers, railway companies, locomotive classes, and the like. All are searchable.
NB. The database is an index only. For copyright reasons, the photographs are not reproduced, but there are live links to where each book is currently available to purchase. Usually these are second-hand booksellers.
Photographic archive
Over 50,000 images are available to purchase as prints or as digital downloads.
Purchases are managed by our service provider, Zenfolio.
Shop
The items listed below are currently available to purchase, some at sale prices. Click on the product images to read full details of each item.
RCTS members are advised to use the Shop pages in the Member's Area to gain access to exclusive products and special discounts.
Shipping is charged on the whole order. There is a flat rate of £3 for UK addresses, a percentage of the order value for non-UK address, calculated as the basket is added to.
Payment can be made by credit/debit card into the Society's Paypal account. You do not need your own Paypal account to use this service.
Second-hand books are sold by the Library. The list of books available is updated regularly, and is not limited to RCTS publications.
RCTS Publications
RCTS has been a renowned publisher of definitive books on locomotives and other railway subjects since 1935. The books are available online and trade enquiries are welcome. Many are now out of print but you can find a bibliography of all books by following More about RCTS Publications below.
Become an author? Click the button to find out more.
New printing technology means that it has become economic to republish some of the back catalogue, a process that is underway. If you cannot wait, copies are available to view at the Society's library at Leatherhead and second-hand copies may be available to purchase from there.
Featured publications
Categories
Locomotives of the LNER
The definitive series - originally published in 19 parts 1963-1994 - is now available again, in eight volumes.
- Book orders are fulfilled globally by Amazon. The links below point to the Amazon UK shop. In other countries, search Amazon using "Locomotives of the LNER".
- PDF downloads are fulfilled by a separate RCTS online shop at https://archive.rcts.org.uk/rcts-shop/
Volume 1
Cover: Hardback
Price: £18
Volume 1
Cover: Softback
Price: £12
Volume 2
Cover: Softback
Price: £24
Volume 3
Cover: Softback
Price: £21
Volume 4&5
Cover: Softback
Price: £24
Volume 6
Cover: Softback
Price: £24
Volume 7&8
Cover: Softback
Price: £18
Volume 9
Cover: Softback
Price: £18
Volume 10
Cover: Softback
Price: £18