South Wales / De Cymru [SWL]
The South Wales Branch meets monthly every month except August and arranges outdoor visits to Heritage Railways and observations at key railway locations. Recent visits have included observations at Leamington Spa, Nuneaton and Stafford and trips to the Bluebell and Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The branch produces a monthly bulletin Right Tracks (Cledrau Cywir); please contact the Secretary with your email address if you wish to receive a copy.
Image above shows 67025 awaiting departure from Cardiff Central on 1W91, the 0645 to Holyhead
What's on
Venues
Click the venue name to see more
What's on
WALES RAILWAYS PHOTOGRAPHIC
COMPETITION
The RCTS South Wales branch has launched the 2023 Wales Railways Photography Competition. This is a new idea for 2023 which we hope will provide an opportunity to involve a wide range of individuals in our branch, and provide a fascinating window into the rapidly changing railway scene in Wales.
Note new closing date! 24th October 2023
FIRST PRIZE
COURTESY OF TRANSPORT FOR WALES TWO FIRST CLASS RETURN TICKETS FROM CARDIFF TO MANXHESTER, LIVERPOOL OR NORTH WALES!!
OTHER PRIZES : £20 BOOK TOKENS FOR EACH OF THE CATEGORIES
We invite you to submit your photos under the following categories (strictly one entry per person per category), but you can submit to more than one category:
- Steam
- Freight
- Transport for Wales (a photo taken of a TfW train)
- Narrow gauge
- Railway stations
- A photo taken by an individual aged 10 or under
- A photo taken by an individual aged 11-16
- The best photo overall
Please note that categories 1-5 are open to all ages. Photos can be taken with a traditional camera or a phone.
All photos must be taken between the opening date of the competition (1st June) and the closing date 24th October 2023). All photographs must be taken in Wales.
An independent panel of three well-known photographers will decide on the winner of each category. Part of the branch’s monthly meeting on 14th December will be given over to presenting the images submitted to the competition, and announcing the winners. The winners will be notified in advance and will be able to receive their certificate on the night, but please note that we cannot provide assistance with travel to/from the meeting in Radyr (certificates can also be posted to winners). We also hope to be able to offer a number of small prizes to winners of each category (further details to follow).
How to enter
To enter the competition, please use the following We-Transfer link - WeTransfer - Send Large Files & Share Photos Online - Up to 2GB Free . You may be asked to validate your email address first. You will be then be able to upload your file(s) and they will be transferred to us.
When submitting your images, you must include the following information in the filename:
- Your name (and if you are a parent/carer submitting on your child’s behalf, their name)
- Photo location
- Date photo was taken
- Unit or loco number (if known)
- Train working (if known)
- The category you are entering this photo for
Please note that if you do not include basic information such as your name and the photo location your photo will not be included in the competition.
Venues
Click the venue name to see more
Contacts
Chairman
email: swchair@rcts.org.uk
Meeting reports
THE CAMBRIAN COUNTRY Dave Waldren gave an entertaining talk on the Cambrian Railway to the best attended meeting since lockdown restrictions were eased – 30 members and 17 visitors. Dave…
Read MoreFREIGHT REORGANISATION IN THE CARDIFF VALLEYS 1963 – 1969 We were delighted to welcome Brian Rolley, a well known and well-respected authority on railways in South Wales and elsewhere, who…
Read MoreHOLIDAYS IN THE WEST COUNTRY – CORNWALL 36 members and friendswere lucky enough to welcome Stuart Warr as our speaker to tell us all about his holidays in Cornwall…
Read MoreTHE ROWLAND PITTARD MEMORIAL LECTURE I Broad Gauge Part 3 We were joined by 35 and guests to hear Brian Arman’s third presentation of the branch on the GWR…
Read MoreJOHN SPENCER GILKS IN SOUTH WALES
MEETING REPORT JOHN SPENCER GILKS IN SOUTH WALES 13 APRIL 2022 On April 13th Nigel Wassall presented “John Spencer Gilks (JSG) in Wales”, a selection of images from visits made…
Read MoreTHE ROWLAND PITTARD MEMORIAL LECTURE
The Rowland Pittard Memorial Lecture 8 June 2022 by Rev Canon Brian Arman – Broad gauge 3 We were joined by 35 and guests to hear Brian Arman’s third presentation…
Read MoreCAMP COACH HOLIDAYS
MEETING REPORT 9 MARCH 2022 CAMP COACH HOLIDAYS ON THE GWR MIKE FENTON Many of you will remember camping coaches from the Fifties and the Sixties, in seaside locations such…
Read MoreRhymney Railway
A 51xx tank arriving at Hengoed Low Level with a northbound Rhymney all stations service in 1956 40 RCTS members joined into the excellent Zoom presentation by Peter Fortune. Whilst…
Read MoreMarch 10th 2021 · “Rail Policy in Wales – Looking Back and into the Future.”
Presenter: Professor Stuart Cole 63 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us for Professor Stuart Cole’s (Emeritus Professor of Transport at South Wales University) excellent coverage of…
Read MoreFebruary 10th 2021 · “Taff Vale railway Part 1”
Presenter: Peter Fortune 57 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us for Peter Fortune’s excellent presentation of the Taff Valley railway (part 1). Peter gave us a…
Read MoreJanuary 13th 2021 · “Railways in South Wales”
Presenter: Robert Mastermann A record 66 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us to for Robert’s “Masterly” presentation of Railway Images in South Wales in the 1960’s…
Read More9 December 2020 · Holidays in Cornwall
Presenter: Stuart Warr We were joined by 44 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) to hear Stuart Warr’s typically thorough and comprehensive round trip of Cornwall’s railways over…
Read More11 November 2020 · A 1950s Cornucopia Part II
Presenter: Noel Thompson We were joined by 46 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) to hear part 2 of Noel’s presentation. Noel started off by completing his comprehensive…
Read More11th March 2020 · ‘A Ninth Colour Rail Journey’
Presenter: Paul Chancellor In March we received our first visit from Paul Chancellor, owner of Colour Rail and Chairman of the Society’s Development Committee. I don’t why we have waited…
Read More12th February 2020 · ‘The Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company in Newport’
Presenter: Ray Viney For our February meeting, Ray Viney (of the Monmouthshire Railway Society) gave an excellently illustrated talk about the Monmouthshire Railway & Canal Company in Newport. What had…
Read More8th January 2020 · Behind the Iron Curtain – Narrow Gauge Steam in East Germany 1969 -1992
Presenter: Nigel Wassell The Branch’s fixture secretary, Nigel Wassell, gave another of his well- researched, informative and superbly illustrated talks following the AGM in January. His subject was a review…
Read More11th December 2019 · ‘A Selection of Videos’
Presenter: Mike Wilcock An appreciative audience of 42 came to watch Mike Wilcock show videos of the UK railway scene during recent years. Before the interval we saw some views…
Read More27th November 2019 · ’50 Years Ago’
Presenter: Stephen Miles “Fifty Years Ago” was the title of local boy Stephen Miles’ presentation at the Branch’s second meeting in Swansea on November 27th.It comprised Stephen’s railway photographs from…
Read More13th November 2019 · ’50 Years on the Beaten Track’
Presenter: Geoff Atkins Local member, Geoff Atkins gave a superb presentation to the Branch in November, witnessed by a record audience of 71. Its title was ’50-Years On The Beaten…
Read More9th October 2019 · ‘Another Evening With My Father’s Slides – Scotland
Presenter: David Cross The name of the late photographer, Derek Cross is synonymous with superbly crafted railway images; his son, David made a second visit to the branch in October…
Read More25th September 2019 · ‘Reflections of a Railway Enthusiast’
Presenter: Jeff Morgan This was the first of our quarterly meetings in Swansea to which 12 members and guests heard Jeff Morgan’s autobiographical journey through his railway pleasures. Starting at…
Read More11th September 2019 · ‘Railways in a Yorkshire Landscape’
Presenter: Stephen Gay September’s meeting was well attended with 28 members and 22 visitors to experience Stephen Gay’s seventh visit to our branch, his subject was ‘Railways In A Yorkshire…
Read More12th June 2019 · ‘My Railway Career in South Wales’
Presenter: David Maidment The founder of the Society’s nominated charity, The Railway Children, David Maidment made a third visit to our branch in June and gave the audience of 50…
Read More8th May 2019 · ‘The Railways of Glamorgan and the Valleys’
Presenter: Stuart Warr Our May meeting coincided with the local Radyr & Morganstown Festival and the subject of the illustrated talk by our Branch Secretary, Stuart Warr was ‘The Railways…
Read More10th April 2019 · ‘Charter Trains in the 21st Century’
Presenter: Iain Pate The April meeting brought Iain Pate’s humorous and delightfully illustrated talk entitled ‘Charter Trains in the 21st Century’. He has been involved in the preservation movement for…
Read More13th March 2019 · ‘From Railways to Royalty’
Presenter: Jack Boskett An audience of 52 were entertained by Jack Boskett’s presentation entitled “From Railways To Royalty” at our March meeting in Cardiff. Jack is something of a rarity…
Read MoreTHE CAMBRIAN COUNTRY Dave Waldren gave an entertaining talk on the Cambrian Railway to the best attended meeting since lockdown restrictions were eased – 30 members and 17 visitors. Dave…
Read MoreFREIGHT REORGANISATION IN THE CARDIFF VALLEYS 1963 – 1969 We were delighted to welcome Brian Rolley, a well known and well-respected authority on railways in South Wales and elsewhere, who…
Read MoreHOLIDAYS IN THE WEST COUNTRY – CORNWALL 36 members and friendswere lucky enough to welcome Stuart Warr as our speaker to tell us all about his holidays in Cornwall…
Read MoreTHE ROWLAND PITTARD MEMORIAL LECTURE I Broad Gauge Part 3 We were joined by 35 and guests to hear Brian Arman’s third presentation of the branch on the GWR…
Read MoreJOHN SPENCER GILKS IN SOUTH WALES
MEETING REPORT JOHN SPENCER GILKS IN SOUTH WALES 13 APRIL 2022 On April 13th Nigel Wassall presented “John Spencer Gilks (JSG) in Wales”, a selection of images from visits made…
Read MoreTHE ROWLAND PITTARD MEMORIAL LECTURE
The Rowland Pittard Memorial Lecture 8 June 2022 by Rev Canon Brian Arman – Broad gauge 3 We were joined by 35 and guests to hear Brian Arman’s third presentation…
Read MoreCAMP COACH HOLIDAYS
MEETING REPORT 9 MARCH 2022 CAMP COACH HOLIDAYS ON THE GWR MIKE FENTON Many of you will remember camping coaches from the Fifties and the Sixties, in seaside locations such…
Read MoreRhymney Railway
A 51xx tank arriving at Hengoed Low Level with a northbound Rhymney all stations service in 1956 40 RCTS members joined into the excellent Zoom presentation by Peter Fortune. Whilst…
Read MoreMarch 10th 2021 · “Rail Policy in Wales – Looking Back and into the Future.”
Presenter: Professor Stuart Cole 63 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us for Professor Stuart Cole’s (Emeritus Professor of Transport at South Wales University) excellent coverage of…
Read MoreFebruary 10th 2021 · “Taff Vale railway Part 1”
Presenter: Peter Fortune 57 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us for Peter Fortune’s excellent presentation of the Taff Valley railway (part 1). Peter gave us a…
Read MoreJanuary 13th 2021 · “Railways in South Wales”
Presenter: Robert Mastermann A record 66 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us to for Robert’s “Masterly” presentation of Railway Images in South Wales in the 1960’s…
Read More9 December 2020 · Holidays in Cornwall
Presenter: Stuart Warr We were joined by 44 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) to hear Stuart Warr’s typically thorough and comprehensive round trip of Cornwall’s railways over…
Read More11 November 2020 · A 1950s Cornucopia Part II
Presenter: Noel Thompson We were joined by 46 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) to hear part 2 of Noel’s presentation. Noel started off by completing his comprehensive…
Read More11th March 2020 · ‘A Ninth Colour Rail Journey’
Presenter: Paul Chancellor In March we received our first visit from Paul Chancellor, owner of Colour Rail and Chairman of the Society’s Development Committee. I don’t why we have waited…
Read More12th February 2020 · ‘The Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company in Newport’
Presenter: Ray Viney For our February meeting, Ray Viney (of the Monmouthshire Railway Society) gave an excellently illustrated talk about the Monmouthshire Railway & Canal Company in Newport. What had…
Read More8th January 2020 · Behind the Iron Curtain – Narrow Gauge Steam in East Germany 1969 -1992
Presenter: Nigel Wassell The Branch’s fixture secretary, Nigel Wassell, gave another of his well- researched, informative and superbly illustrated talks following the AGM in January. His subject was a review…
Read More11th December 2019 · ‘A Selection of Videos’
Presenter: Mike Wilcock An appreciative audience of 42 came to watch Mike Wilcock show videos of the UK railway scene during recent years. Before the interval we saw some views…
Read More27th November 2019 · ’50 Years Ago’
Presenter: Stephen Miles “Fifty Years Ago” was the title of local boy Stephen Miles’ presentation at the Branch’s second meeting in Swansea on November 27th.It comprised Stephen’s railway photographs from…
Read More13th November 2019 · ’50 Years on the Beaten Track’
Presenter: Geoff Atkins Local member, Geoff Atkins gave a superb presentation to the Branch in November, witnessed by a record audience of 71. Its title was ’50-Years On The Beaten…
Read More9th October 2019 · ‘Another Evening With My Father’s Slides – Scotland
Presenter: David Cross The name of the late photographer, Derek Cross is synonymous with superbly crafted railway images; his son, David made a second visit to the branch in October…
Read More25th September 2019 · ‘Reflections of a Railway Enthusiast’
Presenter: Jeff Morgan This was the first of our quarterly meetings in Swansea to which 12 members and guests heard Jeff Morgan’s autobiographical journey through his railway pleasures. Starting at…
Read More11th September 2019 · ‘Railways in a Yorkshire Landscape’
Presenter: Stephen Gay September’s meeting was well attended with 28 members and 22 visitors to experience Stephen Gay’s seventh visit to our branch, his subject was ‘Railways In A Yorkshire…
Read More12th June 2019 · ‘My Railway Career in South Wales’
Presenter: David Maidment The founder of the Society’s nominated charity, The Railway Children, David Maidment made a third visit to our branch in June and gave the audience of 50…
Read More8th May 2019 · ‘The Railways of Glamorgan and the Valleys’
Presenter: Stuart Warr Our May meeting coincided with the local Radyr & Morganstown Festival and the subject of the illustrated talk by our Branch Secretary, Stuart Warr was ‘The Railways…
Read More10th April 2019 · ‘Charter Trains in the 21st Century’
Presenter: Iain Pate The April meeting brought Iain Pate’s humorous and delightfully illustrated talk entitled ‘Charter Trains in the 21st Century’. He has been involved in the preservation movement for…
Read More13th March 2019 · ‘From Railways to Royalty’
Presenter: Jack Boskett An audience of 52 were entertained by Jack Boskett’s presentation entitled “From Railways To Royalty” at our March meeting in Cardiff. Jack is something of a rarity…
Read MoreTHE CAMBRIAN COUNTRY Dave Waldren gave an entertaining talk on the Cambrian Railway to the best attended meeting since lockdown restrictions were eased – 30 members and 17 visitors. Dave…
Read MoreFREIGHT REORGANISATION IN THE CARDIFF VALLEYS 1963 – 1969 We were delighted to welcome Brian Rolley, a well known and well-respected authority on railways in South Wales and elsewhere, who…
Read MoreHOLIDAYS IN THE WEST COUNTRY – CORNWALL 36 members and friendswere lucky enough to welcome Stuart Warr as our speaker to tell us all about his holidays in Cornwall…
Read MoreTHE ROWLAND PITTARD MEMORIAL LECTURE I Broad Gauge Part 3 We were joined by 35 and guests to hear Brian Arman’s third presentation of the branch on the GWR…
Read MoreJOHN SPENCER GILKS IN SOUTH WALES
MEETING REPORT JOHN SPENCER GILKS IN SOUTH WALES 13 APRIL 2022 On April 13th Nigel Wassall presented “John Spencer Gilks (JSG) in Wales”, a selection of images from visits made…
Read MoreTHE ROWLAND PITTARD MEMORIAL LECTURE
The Rowland Pittard Memorial Lecture 8 June 2022 by Rev Canon Brian Arman – Broad gauge 3 We were joined by 35 and guests to hear Brian Arman’s third presentation…
Read MoreCAMP COACH HOLIDAYS
MEETING REPORT 9 MARCH 2022 CAMP COACH HOLIDAYS ON THE GWR MIKE FENTON Many of you will remember camping coaches from the Fifties and the Sixties, in seaside locations such…
Read MoreRhymney Railway
A 51xx tank arriving at Hengoed Low Level with a northbound Rhymney all stations service in 1956 40 RCTS members joined into the excellent Zoom presentation by Peter Fortune. Whilst…
Read MoreMarch 10th 2021 · “Rail Policy in Wales – Looking Back and into the Future.”
Presenter: Professor Stuart Cole 63 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us for Professor Stuart Cole’s (Emeritus Professor of Transport at South Wales University) excellent coverage of…
Read MoreFebruary 10th 2021 · “Taff Vale railway Part 1”
Presenter: Peter Fortune 57 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us for Peter Fortune’s excellent presentation of the Taff Valley railway (part 1). Peter gave us a…
Read MoreJanuary 13th 2021 · “Railways in South Wales”
Presenter: Robert Mastermann A record 66 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) joined us to for Robert’s “Masterly” presentation of Railway Images in South Wales in the 1960’s…
Read More9 December 2020 · Holidays in Cornwall
Presenter: Stuart Warr We were joined by 44 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) to hear Stuart Warr’s typically thorough and comprehensive round trip of Cornwall’s railways over…
Read More11 November 2020 · A 1950s Cornucopia Part II
Presenter: Noel Thompson We were joined by 46 Zoomers from South Wales, and England (welcome all) to hear part 2 of Noel’s presentation. Noel started off by completing his comprehensive…
Read More11th March 2020 · ‘A Ninth Colour Rail Journey’
Presenter: Paul Chancellor In March we received our first visit from Paul Chancellor, owner of Colour Rail and Chairman of the Society’s Development Committee. I don’t why we have waited…
Read More12th February 2020 · ‘The Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company in Newport’
Presenter: Ray Viney For our February meeting, Ray Viney (of the Monmouthshire Railway Society) gave an excellently illustrated talk about the Monmouthshire Railway & Canal Company in Newport. What had…
Read More8th January 2020 · Behind the Iron Curtain – Narrow Gauge Steam in East Germany 1969 -1992
Presenter: Nigel Wassell The Branch’s fixture secretary, Nigel Wassell, gave another of his well- researched, informative and superbly illustrated talks following the AGM in January. His subject was a review…
Read More11th December 2019 · ‘A Selection of Videos’
Presenter: Mike Wilcock An appreciative audience of 42 came to watch Mike Wilcock show videos of the UK railway scene during recent years. Before the interval we saw some views…
Read More27th November 2019 · ’50 Years Ago’
Presenter: Stephen Miles “Fifty Years Ago” was the title of local boy Stephen Miles’ presentation at the Branch’s second meeting in Swansea on November 27th.It comprised Stephen’s railway photographs from…
Read More13th November 2019 · ’50 Years on the Beaten Track’
Presenter: Geoff Atkins Local member, Geoff Atkins gave a superb presentation to the Branch in November, witnessed by a record audience of 71. Its title was ’50-Years On The Beaten…
Read More9th October 2019 · ‘Another Evening With My Father’s Slides – Scotland
Presenter: David Cross The name of the late photographer, Derek Cross is synonymous with superbly crafted railway images; his son, David made a second visit to the branch in October…
Read More25th September 2019 · ‘Reflections of a Railway Enthusiast’
Presenter: Jeff Morgan This was the first of our quarterly meetings in Swansea to which 12 members and guests heard Jeff Morgan’s autobiographical journey through his railway pleasures. Starting at…
Read More11th September 2019 · ‘Railways in a Yorkshire Landscape’
Presenter: Stephen Gay September’s meeting was well attended with 28 members and 22 visitors to experience Stephen Gay’s seventh visit to our branch, his subject was ‘Railways In A Yorkshire…
Read More12th June 2019 · ‘My Railway Career in South Wales’
Presenter: David Maidment The founder of the Society’s nominated charity, The Railway Children, David Maidment made a third visit to our branch in June and gave the audience of 50…
Read More8th May 2019 · ‘The Railways of Glamorgan and the Valleys’
Presenter: Stuart Warr Our May meeting coincided with the local Radyr & Morganstown Festival and the subject of the illustrated talk by our Branch Secretary, Stuart Warr was ‘The Railways…
Read More10th April 2019 · ‘Charter Trains in the 21st Century’
Presenter: Iain Pate The April meeting brought Iain Pate’s humorous and delightfully illustrated talk entitled ‘Charter Trains in the 21st Century’. He has been involved in the preservation movement for…
Read More13th March 2019 · ‘From Railways to Royalty’
Presenter: Jack Boskett An audience of 52 were entertained by Jack Boskett’s presentation entitled “From Railways To Royalty” at our March meeting in Cardiff. Jack is something of a rarity…
Read More