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:

A very special moment is captured at Wansford on Friday 28th February 2025 as A3 Pacific 60103 'Flying Scotsman' and A1 Pacific 60163 'Tornado' are both seen on shed. 60163 was out of steam, but 60103 was in full working order to head the demonstration working of the famous 266 Down 'Scotch Goods'. Photo: Michael Smyth.

On Friday 28th February 2025, the Nene Valley Railway held a special event to recreate the famous 266 Down Scotch Goods which ran from Kings Cross to Niddrie (Edinburgh) and was one of, if not the, most important goods trains on the East Coast Main Line. It was often worked by a Kings Cross A3, so very fitting to take the opportunity of the visit of 60103 'Flying Scotsman' to the NVR. On a cold and crisp start to the day, 60103 has plenty of steam at Wansford Shed. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Also present at Wansford Shed on Friday 28tht February 2025, but not in steam, was Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado'. Having arrived a few weeks earlier off a mainline special where various defects were found, it was decided to keep the engine at Wansford to attend to these faults. 60163 had run a few days previously with a test train on the Nene Valley, which had proved successful so should soon be gone. Photo: Michael Smyth.

The polished nameplate of LNER Class A3 Pacific 60103 'Flying Scotsman' catches the morning light at Wansford Shed on Friday 28th February 2025 as she is prepared to work a replica of the famous 266 'Scotch Goods', which ran from Kings Cross to Niddrie (Edinburgh). Photo: Michael Smyth.

Having coupled up to its train to replicate a run of 266, the Down Scotch Goods, 60103 'Flying Scotsman' waits at Wansford Station prior to departure East towards Peterborough on Friday 28th February 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

The vacuum-fitted 12 ton ventilated goods van (of which there were thousands built across the various BR Works and by private manufacturers) was very much the vehicle of choice for goods traffic in the steam era. Seen along with a Pallet Van and a CONFLAT at Peterborough on Friday 28th February 2025, LNER A3 Pacific 60103 'Flying Scotsman' has just run round a demonstration formation of the famous 266 Down 'Scotch Goods' and waits to head West to Yarwell Junction. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Epitomising the power of steam in the style of Bishop Eric Treacy, LNER A3 Pacific 60103 'Flying Scotsman' is seen leaving Peterborough on Friday 28th February 2025 with a demonstration run of the former 266 Down 'Scotch Goods', which ran from Kings Cross Goods Yard to Niddrie Yard in Edinburgh. Photo: Michael Smyth.

The Down Scotch Goods (266, later 4S08) was a fast, fitted freight and as such was vacuum braked throughout and hence the bauxite livery of the freight stock. The Brake Van was provided to accommodate the Guard. who was still required to comply with Union rules. Having run round at Peterborough on Friday 28th February 2025, 60103 'Flying Scotsman' prepares to head back West to Yarwell with the demonstration run. Photo: Michael Smyth.

At Orton Mere on the Nene Velley Railway the connecting line from the East Coast Main Line comes in and joins with a loop on the single line section from Peterborough to Wansford. For the benefit of photographers, 60103 'Flying Scotsman' ran through the loop on what would normally be the wrong line with the demonstration 266 Down 'Scotch Goods' on Friday 28th February 2025, as a period-dressed ganger walks along the line. Photo: Michael Smyth.

On the stretch of line between Orton Mere and Wansford, 60103 'Flying Scotsman' powers ahead with the demonstration run of the Down 'Scotch Goods' on Friday 28th February 2025. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Crossing the River Nene at Wansford on Friday 28th February 2025, LNER A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' heads a replica 266 Down 'Scotch Goods' into Wansford Station on the Nene Valley Railway. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Class A3 Pacific No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' bursts out of Yarwell Tunnel with the demonstration 266 'Scotch Goods' on Friday 28th February 2025. The train was a magnificent recreation of one of the premier fully-fitted high speed freight trains of the steam era which could be seen as an early precursor to today's fully-fitted block trains. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Black-and-white photography is well suited to the high contrast of back-lit scenes, as shown by the exquisite details on the tarpaulins of the two 13 ton HYFIT wagons nearest the camera. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' arrives at Yarwell Junction on the Nene Valley Railway on Friday 28th February 2025 with the replica formation of 266 Down 'Scotch Goods', which it then ran round to return to Wansford. Photo: Michael Smyth.

In conditions well suited to black and white photography, LMS Black 5 No. 45212, proudly displaying its former Lostock Hall allocation, makes good progress along the Down Slow at Abbots Ripton with 1Z12, the 07.38 Kings Cross to York 'Valentine's White Rose' on Saturday 15th February 2025. 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!

In sparkling, frosty Winter light, West Country Pacific 34046 'Braunton' blasts along the Down Slow line North of Huntingdon station on Thursday November 28th 2024 with Steam Dreams' 1Z70, 09.11 Kings Cross to York. Photo: Michael Smyth.

Cambridge Branch Travels

What's On

Venue

Contacts

RCTS Cambridge Branch Gallery

Cambridge Area

Further Afield

Meeting reports