Knowledge Hub

Within these pages you can view all of our research resources as well as information about the Society, its organisation and policies.

One of the key objects of our Charitable status is to provide an educational resource available to all and there are many ways that we aim to do that.

About us

To understand how we have developed over the years into Britain’s leading Railway Society go to the About Us page.

The RCTS Library

Our Library is situated at Leatherhead Railway station and is open to all at no charge. Some 10,000 books, magazines and railway related paperwork al available.  

The Photographic Archive

In addition to the 50,000 plus images that we have available to purchase we have a considerable number of images for which we do not hold copyright but that are available for research purposes. Many of these have been scanned and captioned.

Digitised Publications

As well as being available to purchase via our shop, all of the digitised publications are available for reading on line or at the library. This includes all editions of the Railway Observer dating back to 1928. 

Query Corner

Anyone can ask a question on a railway subject and these questions are published under the title Query Corner, both on line and in the RO. Everyone is also encouraged to view the questions as of course we also seek answers! 

Unusual Happenings

History has proved that not everything is as it first appears and railway happenings are no different and many unresolved situations exist, quite often trying to unravel previously published but incorrect information. 

Locomotive Histories

The Society has complied a comprehensive database detailing the complete allocation, naming and disposal history of every diesel, electric and gas turbine loco ever to run on the network dating from 1890 to today. 

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TOPS Codes & More

Find a listing all TOPS Codes here but also all of the two letter depot codes plus the details about the hidden world of 015XX shunters and classes 89, 97 and 98.

Locos & Nameplates

The story of all of the locomotives that have carried Society related names and all of the locomotive nameplates owned by the Society and where they can be viewed

Who Does What

Find a list of the Society’s Trustees and Officers, including their roles and contact details for enquiries relating to the Society and its activities.

Policies & Procedures

View the Society’s policies and procedures, providing guidance on how the RCTS is managed and operates.