Welcome to the Cambridge Branch of the RCTS. We meet once a month from September to May (inclusive), usually on the second Tuesday, at The Swifts in Fulbourn.

Our meetings generally take the form of slide shows, movies or talks with lively discussions on all aspects of railway history and operational practice.

We also have a wonderful selection of hundreds of railway books available at each meeting at bargain prices.

All are welcome to join us and to share their interest!

Cambridge Branch Travels

A selection of recent photographs and videos from Cambridge Branch members and friends:

In a scene not dissimilar to the latter days of the Mildenhall Branch, Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus E79960 stands at Holt station on June 15th 2025 during the North Norfolk Railway's Diesel Gala. The tail lamp will shortly be taken to the other end and the vehicle will gently glide out of the station, allowing passengers to enjoy the magnificent coastal views on the Poppy Line. Photo: Michael Smyth.

As far as is known, Class 40s never worked on the M&GN line, with its closure on February 28th 1959 (and the remaining section to Melton Constable on April 4th 1964) overlapping with the time that Class 40s were employed exclusively on Main Line duties. Notwithstanding, immaculately restored D213 'Andania' makes a magnificent sight and sound at Holt on Sunday 15th June 2025 during the North Norfolk Railway's 2025 Diesel Gala. Photo: Michael Smyth.

All five of the German Waggon und Maschinenbau four-wheel railbuses were based at Cambridge and worked lightly-trafficked routes such as the Mildenhall branch and Audley End to Bartlow. Remarkably, four survive in preservation. At the start of activities on Sunday June 15th 2025, E79960 stands at Weybourne station en-route from Holt to Sheringham. Photo: Michael Smyth.

English Electric Class 40 No. D213 'Andania' provides a visual and acoustic delight at the North Norfolk Railway's 2025 Diesel Gala on June 15th 2025. Apart from the original allocation of the first six Class 40s to work Norwich to Liverpool Street expresses, Class 40s have never been particularly common in Norfolk, so an opportunity to witness the English Electric 'whistle' was not one to be missed! Photo: Michael Smyth.

Delivered new to Hull Dairycoates (50B) in March 1962, English Electric Type 3 (Class 37) No. D6732 (37032) is always a delight to behold on the North Norfolk Railway. In its customary immaculate condition, showing its livery on delivery with small yellow panels, D6732 comes off Weybourne shed on June 15th 2025 to commence its duties for the day as part of the North Norfolk Railway's 2025 Diesel Gale. Photo: Michael Smyth.

The North Norfolk Railway has a wonderful selection of original and replica Great Northern Railway signalling and Weybourne provides an idyllic location for much of this. Heading towards Sheringham on Sunday 15th June 2025, Waggon und Maschinenbau four-wheel railbus No. E79960 passes the diminutive Down Starting signal as it pulls out of the station. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Super-power at Weybourne! Brush Type 2 No. D5631 (formerly 31207) and BREL/General Motors Class 69 No. 69010 (formerly 56065) have just come off shed and have the road to reverse into the Down Platform on Sunday 15th June 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Waggon Und Maschinenbau four-wheel railbus E79960 approaches Weybourne from Sheringham on June 15th 2025 during the North Norfolk Railway's 2025 Diesel Gala. Milepost forty-and-a-half was measured from South Lynn, including the reversal at Melton Constable. The official mileage from South Lynn to Weybourne station was 40 miles and 31 chains, so the half-mile point would have been 9 chains East of the station, which may be just to the West of the milepost. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Taking water at stations was a once-commonplace sight across the steam railway. On Sunday 15th July 2025, ex GWR 4200 Class 2-8-0 Tank locomotive No. 4277 replenishes its tanks at Sheringham station prior to heading out to Holt. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Far from the steep gradients and heavy coal trains of the Taff Vale, Churchward's powerful 4200 Class 2-8-0 Tank locomotive No. 4277 will have no difficulty lifting this formation out of Sheringham and over to Holt on Sunday 15th June 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

GB Railfreight's support to the North Norfolk Railway's 2025 Diesel Gala was very welcome and was a fantastic example of a modern railway operating company working with a leading preservation society. GBRf Class 66 No. 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' and Class 69 No. 69010 'North Norfolk Railway 1975-2025' occupy the platforms at Sheringham on a beautifully sunny June 15th 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Old and New in the form of Brush Type 2 No. D5631 (31207) and GB Railfreight's 69010 (originally BREL Doncaster-built 56065 and re-built as Class 69 by ElectroMotive Diesel Services of Longport) departing from Sheringham to Holt on June 15th 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

The nameplate of GB Railfreight's newly-named Class 69 No. 69010, commemorating 50 years of the Poppy Line. 15th June 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

As the owner of D6732, Alistair Barham can be rightfully proud of this magnificent locomotive as it perfectly re-creates its 1962 appearance. Apart from the B4 bogie, the rolling stock also fits the period and together the pair make a fine sight at Sheringham on June 15th 2025. All that is needed is a rake of fish vans, which together with D6732 will make the perfect 3V05, Hull to Plymouth fish. Photo: Michael Smyth.

With Maersk Shipping having moved from Felixstowe to London Gateway, some freightliner trains have now re-routed to the latter. One example is 4L73, the 11.18 departure from Tinsley, seen here passing Waterbeach on June 2nd 2025. The working retained its former route from Sheffield via the Great Central to Doncaster and the Joint Line to Peterborough, but at Ely now runs down the Great Eastern to Severn Sisters and then on to the chord for South Tottenham and the LT&S. Photo: Michael Smyth.

What's On

Venue

Contacts

Chairman

Robert Bartlett OBE

Fixtures Secretary

Michael Smyth

Branch Secretary

Tony Field

Sales Officer

Keith Crossley

Hundreds of books for sale at each meeting and by mail order.

Please contact Keith on 01223 515296 or by the Contacts Form below for details.

Contact the RCTS Cambridge Branch:

RCTS Cambridge Branch Gallery

The RCTS Cambridge Branch Gallery aims to capture the diversity of railway operation over an area roughly corresponding to the coverage of the former 31A Cambridge Shed, which includes Cambridge, St Ives, Huntingdon, Ely, March, Wisbech, Kings Lynn, South Lynn, Hunstanton, Bury St Edmunds and Saffron Walden

To reflect the interests and travels of our members, we also show images from further afield.

Our aim is to share the fascination of railway operation with as many people as possible. Images are drawn from a wide range of sources and where known each is acknowledged.

Any comments on the gallery, including offers of images, should be sent to cambridgeweb at rcts.org.uk

Please note that all images in the gallery are the copyright of the identified author and permission for re-use must be obtained via the RCTS Cambridge Branch at the above address.

We hope you enjoy the gallery!

Cambridge Branch Travels

What's On

Venue

Contacts

RCTS Cambridge Branch Gallery

Cambridge Area

Further Afield

Meeting reports