East Midlands [EMD]
Welcome to the East Midlands branch of the RCTS which was founded in 1951 in Leicester
It started in Leicester before moving to Nottingham in the early years. Meetings were held at a number of locations mainly close to Victoria station ending up at the Nottingham Mechanics at their former location nearer to the city centre then transferring to the current building when it opened in 2004.
We meet regularly on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from September to April and also organise occasional visits to places of interest in the summer
What's on
10th February 2pm - Site visit to EMR's Eastcroft Depot - no meeting at the Mechanics
24th February 2pm - Monorails of the 19th century - Adrian Garner
10th March 2pm - Swindon to Swindon - Richard Binding
View Calendar
Venues
Nottingham Mechanics Institute,
3 North Sherwood Street,
Nottingham
NG1 4EZ
Contacts
lMeeting reports
Doncaster Rail Rover – Stephen Gay
On 27th January we welcomed back the ever popular Stephen Gay who presented his well researched talk entitled Doncaster Rail Rover. This was a pictorial record of the various…
ECTS introduction on ECML – Ed Cooper
On 13th January after the AGM Ed Cooper presented the current state of the introduction of the European Train Control System onto the ECML. A very extensive and complex…
AGM 2025-26
Minutes of the 2025 BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Tuesday 13th January 2026 at 13.45h. Welcome by the Chairman The Chairman welcomed the members present and briefly listed the key points of his review…
East Coast Main Line disasters – Adrian Gray
New Southgate Adrian’s theme was accidents on the ECML, going back to 1857. By his own admission, Adrian is more of a general historian than a railway enthusiast but he…
Railway People – a reflection on 26 years at the NRM – Bob Gwynne
We were pleased to welcome Bob to Nottingham. His name will be known to a number of members because of his time at the NRM, which he left in 2023.…
A beginner’s introduction to Walschaerts Valve Gear – Robin Gibbons
Our speaker was our Branch chairman Robin Gibbons. The talk started with some basic concepts including the piston / connecting rod motion, the contrast between a double-acting steam loco cylinder…
The Vintage Trains story – the rise to a Train Operating Company – Mike Corbett
Our speaker was Mike Corbett who, after a lengthy career in the railway industry, started to volunteer a few years ago with the Vintage Trains group (VTG) at Tyseley, where…
Midland Main Line Electrification – Matt Parkin
Our speaker was Matt Parkin of SPL Powerlines. Matt has been involved with overhead electrification on the network for many years and has been involved with the Midland Mainline Electrification…
The Life & Times of Edward Thompson – Simon Martin
On 9th September, in the first meeting of the 2025-26 session. Simon Martin described the contribution made by Edward Thompson to the LNER loco design and development following the death…
GWR routes Penzance to Padstow – Richard Binding
On 29th April in the last meeting of the 2024-25 session, Richard Binding gave an entertaining evening talk about the route and branch lines of the GWR between Penzance and Padstow.…
Funicular Railways – David Hanger
The talk was billed as Funicular Railways but in reality covered a variety of cable railways, including inclined planes both in industry and on early railways such as the Stockton…
Testing trains on BR since 1950s – Dave Coxon
On 25th March our booked speaker cried off so our Secretary Dave Coxon presented one of his talks. The talk encompasses the early days of Nationalisation and looks of the…
That was the year that was – 1962 – Geoff Plumb
On 11th March we welcomed Geoff Plumb and his delightfully reminiscent presentation based upon his own experience and photographs taken in that particular year. He was rather young in 1962…
China steam in the enthusiast era – Robin Gibbons
Unfortunately our booked speaker Brian Arman was taken ill and unable to attend but our chairman Robin Gibbons stepped in to give a detailed and enlightening talk about Chinese steam,…
A visit to the Nottingham Express Transit depot
On 11th February, by way of a change, 20 members visited the Nottingham Express Transit depot at Wilkinson Street Members met at the local tram stop then proceeded to the…
The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway – Roger Cragg
On 28th January Roger Cragg talked to us about the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. The talk was concentrated on the line’s history, its closure and re-birth and the gradual…
26th November – ECML part 2 – North from York – Stephen Gay
On 26th November we welcomed back Stephen Gay with the second part of his journey on the East Coast Main Line – this time from York to Edinburgh. Numerous anecdotes…
The Midland Railway’s Sheet Stores – Ian Mitchell
On 12th November Ian Mitchell presented a short but very interesting talk about the site which became know as Sheet Stores. It started off life as a coke interchange from…
From Loughborough to Khartoum via Euro Disney – a Railway Engineer’s tale – Phil Lyndsey
On 22nd October Phil Lyndsey related the tale of his interesting career in private industry, which included starting out with Brush “on the mechanical side of electronics” for locomotives, which…
Britain’s Railways in the Great War 1914-1918 – Grant Cullen
On 8th October Grant Cullen spoke to us about the role of Britain’s railways in the Great War, which promised to be rather good. The speaker had approached us some…
The Advanced Passenger Train Project – Kit Spackman
On 24th September, Kit Spackman gave us a talk about the Advanced Passenger Train – Experimental. Kit’s talk was very informative and covered the preliminary trials with the POP train…
The Liverpool Overhead Railway
On 10th September, in the first meeting of the new session, Colin Brading talked to us about the Liverpool Overhead Railway known as the Dockers’ Umbrella, Colin’s talk was fascinating and comprehensive…
20 years of high-speed railways in UK – David Hanger
On 23rd April, for the final meeting of the 2023-24 session, David Hanger presented his talk ’20 years of high-speed railways in UK’ to the Branch. David’s talk discussed BR’s…
Deltics – 1965 to the present day
On 9th April Richard Walsh from the Deltic Preservation Society presented his talk which was divided into three parts The reason why the Deltics came into being; when/how they were…
An A to Z of Great Central locomotives
On 26th March Bob Gellatly presented his talk ‘An A to Z of Great Central locomotives’ The presentation began by looking at the designs of Charles Sacré, Thomas Parker, and Harry…
Branch AGM 2023
On 12th December Chairman Robin Gibbons opened the AGM at 7:00 pm, with notices and one apology for absence. The minutes of the 2022 AGM were approved, and the Chairman thanked…
San Francisco cable cars – Tom Ingall
On 12th March Tom Ingall gave us the remarkable story of San Francisco’s cable cars – 150 years of ‘climbing to the stars’. His talk comprised a look at the…
A brief account of electric traction systems – Dave Saunders
On 27th February Dave Saunders presented his comprehensive talk about the development of electric traction systems on the world’s railways In a fascinating talk Dave began with examining the benefits…
Challenging gravity, steep railways – Felix Schmid
On 13th February Professor Felix Schmid talked to us about the adhesion between wheel and rail (i.e.friction) and the history of early railways where even the famous Isambard Kingdom Brunel…
All aboard the Master Cutler – Chris Youett
On 23rd January Chris Youett was due to present his talk ‘All aboard the Master Cutler’ but unfortunately due to technical issues he was unable to do so In lieu…
The Ripley Rattlers – Kurt Hatton
On 9th January Kurt presented a fascinating talk about the trams which ran between Nottingham and Ripley between 1913 and 1933 which were known as the Rattlers. Kurt traced the route taken…
Railways at the dawn of Nationalisation – Robin Mathams
On 28th November we welcomed back Robin Mathams from the Sutton Coldfield Railway Society who shared the Moseley photographic collection from of one of their former members. This was a real…
The Waverley Route – Dennis Lovett
On 14th November at our first afternoon meeting of the session, Dennis Lovett described in detail the route from Edinburgh to Carlisle known universally as ‘The Waverley Route’ which was closed…
Irish Surprises – Colin Boocock
Colin presented a talk based on his various visits to both Southern and Northern Ireland from 1956 to the present day In an excellent presentation Colin explained how the railways…
The LMS Patriot Project – John Hastings-Thomson
On 10th October we held our first afternoon meeting when John introduced the Project to build a new Patriot class locomotive to be known as The Unknown Warrior’. The reason…
The history of the Mansfield to Worksop Line – Denis Hill
The presentation was part of a project by the Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership to celebrate the Midland Railway between Mansfield and Worksop. The talk took a brief look…
The Statfold Barn Railway – Graham Lightfoot
Graham kicked off the 2023-24 session with a presentation on Statfold Barn, the attraction near Tamworth, which is now a popular venue for a variety of interests, with an active…
A miscellany of original slides 1960s – 2000s steam and diesel – Richard Binding
For our final meeting of the 2022-23 season, we welcomed back Richard Binding who had a more than usually eclectic selection of slides to show. We do not get many…
Three decades of changes on the footplate – Lee Davies
On 14th April Lee Davies presented ’Three decades of changes on the Footplate’. This was a review of his career to date working for the railway in the UK. Starting off…
Great Central Railway signalling – Tom Ingall
On 28th March Tom Ingall presented a fascinating talk about the development of the signalling on the GCR over the last 50 years. He explained in animated diagrams the fundamentals…
Five decades of derailment investigation Worldwide – Mike McLoughlin
On 14th March Mike McLoughlin talked to us about derailment investigation starting with the BR Research Division who set up a derailment Investigation team in 1967 when derailments were mounting due…
The Trent Valley Railway – Robin Mathams & Dave Barrett
On 28th February Robin Mathams & Dave Barrett gave a very well researched and detailed talk about the origins of the railway between Rugby and Stafford known as the Trent Valley…
The Leek and Manifold Light Railway
On 14th February Paul Blurton gave a comprehensive talk about the Leek & Manifold Light Railway which recounted the history of the line from its opening in 1904 to its eventual…
First in Derbyshire – the Ilkeston Tramway 1903-1931 system – Stephen Flinders
On 24th January Stephen Flinders gave a very entertaining talk entitled ‘The first in Derbyshire – the Ilkeston Tramway 1903-1931 System’ The presentation follows the development of the tramways around parts of the world…
The 1923 Grouping – Robin Gibbons
This was originally planned to be a presentation by Peter Davis, author of a recent book “F W Webb’s Three -Cylinder Compounds” on the subject matter of his book. However,…
Branch AGM
The Branch AGM took place on 6th December where the Chairman gave his very positive review of the Branch’s progress during 2022 and the varied and interesting programme of meetings.…
NR’s New Measurement Train and the IM fleet
On 22nd November Brendan Rice presented a very interesting and thoroughly absorbing talk about Network Rail’s New Measurement Train and the other vehicles in the Infrastructure Monitoring fleet at the RTC.…
The Crich Tramway Museum
On 8th November Frank Bagshaw gave a very interesting talk about the history and development of the Crich Tramway Museum in Derbyshire, which included a detailed history of a large…
Bulleid’s Pacifics
On October 25th Colin Boocock talked to us about some of the more controversial aspects of Bulleid’s activities. For example, why did OVB not pursue the ideal of a 2-8-2…
The railways and steamers of the Clyde
On 13th October David Shirres presented an interesting talk about the history of the numerous railway companies in the Cyde area and their close ties to the Clyde steamers
Ivatt Atlantic Passenger Locomotives of the GNR
On 27th September Bob Bramson gave a wide ranging and detailed study of the GNR Atlantic locomotives introduced by the Great Northern Railway The lecture reviewed the events that led to…
The 10000 locomotive re-build project
For our first meeting of the 2022-23 season on 13 September, Tony Ellershaw, chairman of the Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society gave us a summary of the original locomotives and their…
GNR Colwick to Basford (backline) and the Derbyshire extension
On April 26th Hayden Reed presented a talk about the GNR in Nottingham in particular the route between Basford and Colwick. A very interesting and well researched comprehensive talk covered…
Bradshaw’s Guide and an early railway tour
On 12th April Robert Mee gave an interesting review of George Bradshaw’s career and his development of the famous guide consisting of early railway timetables. This was followed by an illustrated…
ECML Kings Cross to York
On 22nd March Stephen Gay presented an illustrated talk about the lower part of the ECML by way of a journey from Kings Cross to York. Numerous anecdotes and poetry readings…
Network Rail’s On Track Machines
On 8th March Paul Long presented a very interesting and informative talk about the various vehicles which are used and operated by NR. From the New Measurement Train HST to…
Mail by rail and tram
On 22nd February the Rev Peter Barham gave an excellent talk about the history of carrying the mails by train. But most interesting, and I imagine a subject unknown to most…
Hydrogen Trains
On 8th February David Shirres gave an excellent talk about the practicalities of using hydrogen as a fuel for rail vehicles. The idea that hydrogen is the answer to everything was…
The Royal Train
Geoff Griffiths was the Royal Train Manager for seven years. On 25th January he gave us an insight into the planning and running of the Royal Train and included many…
High Marnham & Melton RIDC test tracks
On 11th January 2022 Peter Ellis gave a very comprehensive and detailed talk about NR’s two test tracks. Peter explained the background to the establishment of the two Railway Innovation…
Annual General Meeting 2021
The branch AGM was held on 21st December 2021 by Zoom. The chairman advised that face to face meetings, which recommenced in September, were restricted to one per month with a…
The Railways of Paris
On 14th December Michael Bunn delivered a very well researched talk via Zoom, relating the construction of the various railways within Paris including with the peripheral railways (inner and outer). He…
Prehistoric Railways
At the live meeting on 23rd November, Trevor Griffin described the many industrial plate ways and gang ways which were built in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire before 1825 and their visible…
Narrow Gauge Steam in Nepal and Pakistan
On 9th November Geoff Warren gave an interesting talk via Zoom about the little known railways and locomotives in the far reaches of India in the 1980s Geoff’s photography was…
Beeching – Hero or villain?
Dave Saunders presented an interesting and enlightening talk which revealed that Dr Beeching was not the villain that he is most remembered as rather he was an innovative and forward looking…
Advances in coaching stock design 1950-2020
Dave Tooley described the very interesting development of BR coaching stock from Mk1 through to Mk5 and also included the Voyager family and the class 180s. The meeting was well attended by 40 members…
Poetry & Times of Kirkby-in Ashfield Loco Sheds and Sidings
Dr David Amos gave a very entertaining account of the life and times of Kirkby in Ashfield shed accompanied by poems and music which originated from local celebrities. Unfortunately the attendance…
28th January 2020 · Stratford on Avon & Midland Junction
Presenter: Barry Taylor On 28th January Barry Taylor presented “The Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway (SMJ)”. The idea of a railway across rural Northamptonshire and Warwickshire was conceived to carry…
14th January 2020 · Oxford to Paddington
Presenter: Richard Binding Richard Binding was our first speaker of 2020 on 14th January to continue his journey along the Great Western mainline towards London. He started at Oxford with…
17th December 2019 · Annual members Christmas evening
On 17th December the branch held its annual members Christmas evening with coffee and mince pies. A number of members showed short series of slides covering preserved steam at the…
10th December 2019 · 125 Group – Preserving an HST
Presenter: John Zabernik of the 125 Group Recent events brought a significance to the topic on 10th December when John Zabernik of the 125 Group presented “Preserving a HST”. He…
26th November 2019 · Restoration of a GNR station building
Presenter: Brian Howes of the Friends of Gedling Station On 26 November Brian Howes of the Friends of Gedling Station informed us of the plans for restoration of the GNR…
12th November 2019 · B17 Spirit of Sandringham – the continuing story of achievement
Presenter: Brian Hall Brian Hall returned to the branch on 12 November to present “B17 Spirit of Sandringham – the continuing story of achievement”. Starting with a description of the…
22nd October 2019 · Leicester & Swannington Railway
Presenter: Bill Pemberton of the Leicestershire Industrial History Society On 22 October Bill Pemberton of the Leicestershire Industrial History Society presented the “Leicester & Swannington Railway” tracing the history of…
8th October 2019 · Branch AGM
The branch held its AGM on 8 October with a total of 22 members present, a slight increase on recent years. The Secretary announced updates to the annual report including…
10th September 2019 · An Eighth Colour Rail Journey
Presenter: Paul Chancellor, Colour Rail Paul Chancellor opened the new meeting season on 10 September with “An Eighth Colour Rail Journey”. The theme for the evening was based on the…
23rd April 2019 · ‘O.Winston Link and the North & Western Railway’
Presenter: Bob Gellatly Our speaker for last meeting of the season on 23rd April was Bob Gellatly with “O. Winston Link and the Norfolk and Western Railway”. Starting with the…
9th April 2019 · ‘Diverted – Wakefield – Leeds via Huddersfield, Barnsley & Castleford’
Presenters: Phil Lockwood & Enid Vincent On 9th April Phil Lockwood and Enid Vincent presented a further instalment in their “Diverted” series. This time travelling from Wakefield to Leeds via…