BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society - ECPv6.17.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://rcts.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250810 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250811 DTSTAMP:20250611T110624Z CREATED:20250526T134804Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T110624Z UID:10003079-1754784000-1754870399@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The Annual August Outing DESCRIPTION:BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW \nThe Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch outing for 2025 is on 10th August to the Mid Suffolk Light Railway\, at Brockford Station\, Wetheringsett\, Stowmarket\, Suffolk\, IP14 5PW – AND – to the Big Bus Show at Stonham Barns\, Pettaugh Road\, Stonham Aspal\, Suffolk\, IP14 6AT\n(These locationa are approx 6 miles apart.) \nThe visit is expected to start at Stonham Barns and we will be using the heritage bus service from Stonham to and from the MSLR. \nSpecial prices have been obtained for this visit and places must be pre-booked with our Branch Secretary. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-annual-august-outing/ LOCATION:Mid Suffolk Light Railway\, Wetheringsett\, Stowmarket\, Suffolk\, IP14 5PW CATEGORIES:Branch Outdoor Event or Visit,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250729T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250729T163000 DTSTAMP:20250629T141029Z CREATED:20241215T121610Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250629T141029Z UID:10002962-1753797600-1753806600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:UK Railways in the 21st Century DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by John Day. \nA presentation taken year on year for the first 25 years of the 21st Century looking at everyday service trains\, passenger\, freight\, locomotive  units\, both diesel and electric multiple units that run regularly in public and freight timetabled service. \nLivery and franchise changes will feature without delving into statistical analysis. Special liveries will feature where appropriate and space within each year allow. The images featured will be from personal travels around the UK\, especially as the network moved from loco hauled passenger trains to set formations built around  the InterCity 125 staple. It is hoped you will enjoy the variety presented and my apologies if I might have missed\, or not photographed one of your favourites. So much has changed this century\, with much more to come as the Department for Transport take the franchised railway back into public ownership. \nJohn Day \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/uk-railways-in-the-21st-century/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/July-2025-John-Day-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250708T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250708T163000 DTSTAMP:20250623T135242Z CREATED:20241215T120526Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T135242Z UID:10002959-1751983200-1751992200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:On Great Eastern Lines Since 1991 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Geoff Brockett. \nIn Geoff’s own words – “The show is based on a presentation I did for the Great Eastern Railway Society and depicts trains on lines originally wholly or jointly owned by the Great Eastern Railway. The photos were taken between 1990 and 2023 – and there is an emphasis on loco-hauled trains”. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/on-great-eastern-lines-since-1991/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/July-2025-Geoff-Brockett-2-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250624T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250624T163000 DTSTAMP:20250509T101142Z CREATED:20241215T121308Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T101142Z UID:10002961-1750773600-1750782600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The West Somerset Railway - Plus More DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Richard Morris. \nFollowing the opening of the Bristol and Exeter Railway in 1845 there were soon thoughts about connecting it to the West Somerset and North Devon coastal towns. These discussions didn’t get very far until Mr Brunel was engaged. In 1862 a railway was constructed and opened between Taunton and Watchet. This was extended to Minehead in 1874. “There were minerals in them therr Zummerzet hills” which were waiting to be mined. Thankfully the West Somerset Railway has survived and we know it now as one of the longest heritage railways in the country. \nThe second half will be a mix of all sorts of things\, modern traction\, steam from around the country\, a little bit from a European holiday\, and from being ‘out and about in 2024. \nRichard Morris \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-west-somerset-railway-plus-more/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/June-2025-2-Richard-Morris-Welwyn-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250610T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250610T163000 DTSTAMP:20250509T100351Z CREATED:20241215T120107Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T100351Z UID:10002958-1749564000-1749573000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:A 12th Colour Rail Journey DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Paul Chancellor. \nOur twelfth Colour-Rail Journey will be the last and in a change for those preceding it \, it tells about the life of a trainspotter from those first experiences to the twist and turns that led to a keen interest in railway photography \, both archive and current. However note that it does not mean that Colour-Rail is closing!\nTales of spotting expeditions that went to plan\, but also some that did not\, would not be believed possible by today’s younger generations. These are illustrated with pictures from the 1950s to the present day which will stir memories of your own ‘spotting lives. \n Paul Chancellor \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/a-12th-colour-rail-journey/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/June-2025-2-Paul-Chancellor-Hitchin-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250527T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250527T163000 DTSTAMP:20250430T131241Z CREATED:20241215T120917Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T131241Z UID:10002960-1748354400-1748363400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:That Was The Year That Was 1972 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Geoff Plumb. \nGeoff Plumb returns with another of his popular “That Was the Year That Was” series of presentations. With his usual excellent standard of railway photography\, this time it’s the turn of 1972 and we can expect the presentation to include more of Geoff’s many days out around and about\, including UK scenes in Brighton\, Bristol and the London area\, among others.\nThis time the presentation also features West Germany quite strongly\, but the main event sees a visit to South Africa\, Swaziland and Mozambique for a feast of steam\, in repose and in action! \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/that-was-the-year-that-was-1972/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/May-2025-Geoff-Plumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250513T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250513T163000 DTSTAMP:20250430T131342Z CREATED:20241215T104717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T131342Z UID:10002957-1747144800-1747153800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Cambridge Area Railways\, Yesterday & Today (Part 2) DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Dave Scudamore. \nCambridge Area Railways\, Yesterday & Today (Part 2) starts back at Cambridge and following another look around the station area heads north to Chesterton Junction where we follow the route of the St Ives line (now misguided busway).\nNext we look at the Mildenhall line as far as Fordham & then to Soham. Back at Cambridge our next journey is to Newmarket before returning to Cambridge for a shed visit before\, time permitting\, heading south via the goods line towards Audley End. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/cambridge-area-railways-yesterday-today-part-2/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/May-2025-David-Scudamore-61306-Cambridge-North-310819-copyright-David-Scudamore.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T163000 DTSTAMP:20250326T103130Z CREATED:20241213T175509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T103130Z UID:10002956-1745935200-1745944200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Sir Nigel Gresley\, His Life and Work DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Simon Martin. \nFollowing on from last year’s lecture on Edward Thompson\, we now turn our attention to his predecessor’s work and designs\, using fresh sources of primary information compared alongside previously conceived and published research. We can review his work and see in a fresh light with better understanding the real achievements and innovations Sir Nigel Gresley led the way in for the railway industry as a whole. In addition\, we examine all of Gresley’s designs and those of other engineers he modified during his tenure\, and how he encouraged and nurtured others who would ultimately succeed him.\nAll of this is fully supported with a wealth of references\, tables\, graphs and a fabulous array of photographs\, many of which have never been in print before\, as we utilise the resources and archives of the Gresley Society.\n Simon Martin \nDoors open at 13:00 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/sir-nigel-gresley-his-life-and-work/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings – in person only,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2025-Simon-Martin.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR