Calendar of Events
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2 events,
Australia 2020
Australia 2020
Stuart made a visit to Australia shortly before everything changed. Join us for a flavour from Down Under
Change of date: Is it ‘A Clear Road Ahead for the Railways’
Change of date: Is it ‘A Clear Road Ahead for the Railways’
Our local transport expert, Fraser Pithie, turns his attention to the national scene and asks the question "Is it "A Clear Road Ahead" for the Railways. Change of date: The meeting has been deferred by a week from its original date of 19th September owing to the Funeral of The late Queen Elizabeth taking place…
3 events,
ECML Part 2 : York to Edinburgh
ECML Part 2 : York to Edinburgh
A presentation by Stephen Gay. As the title says, this is the second part of Stephen's travel along the East Coast Mainline (Part 1 was in October 2021). Covering the 205 miles from York to Edinburgh and calling at the principle stations along the route. We can expect to see Stephen's recently taken photos described…
1 event,
The Selsey Tramway
The Selsey Tramway
Selsey at the southern tip of the Manhood peninsula has only ever had one rather difficult road to gain access to and from Chichester. In the late 1800's the idea of a rail link was seen as a futuristic transport improvement. The committee set up to carry out the project appointed the young H.F.Stevens as…
1 event,
A Tour de France by Narrow Gauge
A Tour de France by Narrow Gauge
Michael Bunn tells the story of the rise and fall of the secondary 60cm and metre gauge networks once a feature of French railways, and of the tourist and SNCF public service narrow gauge lines still in service.
1 event,
Geoff Brockett returns with a new show: ‘Roaming Around London with a Camera’
Geoff Brockett returns with a new show: ‘Roaming Around London with a Camera’
GEOFF BROCKETT returns with a new show ‘Roaming around London with a Camera’ Those of us who live in London are very lucky for the sheer variety of rolling stock and liveries that can be seen. This is a quick-fire show of images taken in Greater London over the last two to three years that…
1 event,
Steam in West Wales
Steam in West Wales
On 7th October we are pleased to welcome back Gerry Nichols to present 'Steam in West Wales'. West Wales in this context is west of Swansea and south of the Cumbrian main line to Aberystwyth. It will cover both the "main lines" and the Cardigan branch and the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen line.
4 events,
The Masked Gricer
The Masked Gricer
Simon's Presentation provides a pictorial diary of what he got up to during the COVID pandemic. From scanning his own and other peoples slides to photographing Modern Traction and Preserved steam. This varied show has something for everyone, 1960's steam, 1980's diesels, overseas steam and recent images of the railway today including heritage lines.
The Settle & Carlisle in the 80s & 90s
The Settle & Carlisle in the 80s & 90s
On October 11th we welcome Stewart Jolly from the Bristol Branch who will take us on a journey over the spectacular Settle and Carlisle line. Stewart's talk will cover both the geography of the line and the changing nature of its traffic from the latter days of BR ownership, when closure was a very real…
4 events,
Moving Coal by Rail
Moving Coal by Rail
This presentation takes us from the beginning of moving coal by rail on early waggon ways and progresses through to the present day.
Czech Railways
Czech Railways
A tour around the Czech Republic by rail by Robert Pritchard with some general interest photos and maybe the odd tram thrown in! From Prague to Ostrava, Brno to Liberec we tour around the whole country, area by area, drawing on Robert’s extensive travels from 2011 through to this year.
Roaming Around London with a Camera
Roaming Around London with a Camera
Those of us who live in London are very lucky for the sheer variety of rolling stock and liveries that can be seen and photographed. This is a quick-fire show of images taken in Greater London over the last two to three years that showcase that variety, with an emphasis on the new and unusual.…
3 events,
Three decades of change on the Footplate
Three decades of change on the Footplate
Lee Davies is a driver for Cross Country Trains. Tonight we have his view of three decades of change, from his time in the cab - from cl.47s to High Speed Trains to Voyagers, over a variety of routes. Each type has very different characteristics and requires a very different driving style.
2 events,
RCTS Members’ Weekend 2022
We’re delighted that the Members’ Weekend is once again taking place this year, based in Reading, at the Novotel Centre (only a couple of minutes walk from the Station), and organised by the Surrey, Windsor & Maidenhead and Thames Valley Branches. There will be the usual three days of events and visits, from Friday 21st October…
The Last Years Of Swindon Works – The Post-Hydraulic Years
The Last Years Of Swindon Works – The Post-Hydraulic Years
The Rev Canon Brian Arman, Society President and GWR expert, tells how the era of Swindon Works came to its conclusion. While arranged as part of the 2022 Members' Weekend, all members (and guests) are welcome, even if you are not attending any other part of the Weekend. A pre-booked hot buffet dinner (a set…
2 events,
‘The Wrexham & Shropshire Railway – a Photographic Retrospective
‘The Wrexham & Shropshire Railway – a Photographic Retrospective
Geoff Plumb returns to the branch to share his memories of the short lived Open Access service which operated between Wrexham and London Marylebone
On and Off the Footplate in Retirement by Bill Davies
On and Off the Footplate in Retirement by Bill Davies
Always welcome to our Branch, Bill Davies will, in his imitable way, will reminisce on his time on the railway.
3 events,
Great Western Locomotives in Preservation
Great Western Locomotives in Preservation
A Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City Presentation. 25th October at Welwyn Garden City. A presentation by Richard Morris. After the end of regular main line steam on BR, the preservation movement got to work and saved representative locomotives from most of the constituent companies. Some locos sadly didn’t make it, a few of those have…
1 event,
Six Decades of Steam Railway Photography
Six Decades of Steam Railway Photography
I have been privileged to have volunteered on the Bluebell Railway during the early 1960s, and on the Watercress Line for the past fourteen years. This experience has given me good operational knowledge and provided opportunities for my photography, which I shall enjoy sharing with your members. My presentation will include pictures taken during the…
3 events,
Trans-Pennine Traction in the Eighties
Trans-Pennine Traction in the Eighties
Derek Huntriss returns with another presentation of his excellent photography, this time from the 1980s, illustrating the railways of the North of England as they cross the Pennines to link the cities of Lancashire and Yorkshire. A show of two halves, in the first we see the every day scene of then modern traction (how…
1 event,
‘Behind Closed Doors’ and ‘Underground Photos From the Past’, by Brian Hardy
‘Behind Closed Doors’ and ‘Underground Photos From the Past’, by Brian Hardy
BRIAN HARDY: "Brian will give a two part presentation, 'Behind Closed Doors' (a look at disused parts of the Underground) and 'Underground Photos from the Past' (in black and white and colour)". Please note this is a change of subject matter from that originally advertised. 'Underground Photos From the Past' - Piccadilly Line and Metropolitan…
1 event,
Members’ Evening
Members’ Evening
For the November meeting, committee members Brian Ringer and Clive Pepper have very kindly stepped in to provide a programme for the evening. Brian will be sharing images from his slide collection on freight from days gone by, whilst Clive has devised a quiz on London stations, which should keep our brains exercised! This promises…
1 event,
That Was The Year That Was, 1963
That Was The Year That Was, 1963
A welcome return visit by Geoff Plumb to recall the events that he recorded in 1963.
A Tour de France by Narrow Gauge