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By admin | 26 July 2021

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Three new books for 2024

We are delighted to announce three new pictorial volumes for 2024. There are also some new bundles available that include the new volumes. More information about each is available by clicking on the images.

The prices shown here are at the special members’ rate.

Bundles

RCTS News

RCTS News is a monthly email sent to all members with email addresses. It is typically sent around 20th of the month to coincide with the latest edition of The Railway Observer being published online. Occasional extra emails will be sent if there is urgent news.

The first edition was August 2021.

The links open in a new tab. Links contained within the email may have expired

* = Extra

The Railway Observer

Latest edition:

October 2024

Volume 94

Number 1148

PDF Download

Contribute

Publication of The Railway Observer depends on members supplying operating reports, images, and articles. Please refer to the Officers’ Directory for details of where to send your submissions.

When submitting images, your permission is deemed to have been given for their use (with suitable credits) in The Railway Observer and in RCTS digital channels, including the RCTS website, the RCTS News email, RCTS social media etc. This permission will also be deemed to have been given for use of images in Society publications on railway topics.

Image guidelines

Collating, selecting and preparing images for publication is a complex and time-consuming process. Please refer to the Guidelines [updated August 2023] to help improve your chances of being published.

Back numbers 2012-2024 (members only)

As a benefit of your RCTS membership, recent editions commencing 2012 are available to read online and download.

The magazine size increased from A5 to B5 at the beginning of 2021:

- Volumes 91 – 94 [2021-2024 · B5 sized]
- Volumes 82 – 90 [2012-2020 · A5 sized]

Earlier editions 1928-2011

A full set of magazines from May 1928 is available from the RCTS Digital Archive.

The Railway News was the first name, launched in May 1928, and ran to ten editions before a copyright issue was identified with that name. The magazine was relaunched in March 1929 as The Railway Observer and has now surpassed 1,100 editions.

Magazines can be purchased at £6 per volume (covering one or two years) or can be individually browsed online free-of-charge. The RCTS Digital Archive requires a separate registration from your RCTS membership because it is open to the public to join.

Guide to the PDF viewer

The PDF viewer presents files in booklet form. Try Full Screen viewing for the best experience.

The controls are shown below each document, though it may be necessary to scroll down to reach them. In most cases, documents can be downloaded and printed from within the viewer, but you may find it easier to view pages online. Some documents may not permit downloading.

Use the mouse wheel (if you have one) to zoom in and out, or the pinch gesture on a touch-screen.

The Contents open on the left.

Members’ benefits

The Society has negotiated a number of benefits for members. To obtain these you will in most cases need to advise your membership number and where attending in person may be asked to show your membership card. We would like to be able to provide further benefits so if you have ideas about products or services where it would be good to be able to claim a benefit, or you encounter a problem in obtaining one of the listed benefits please contact James Milne

Magazines

New

Pendragon Publishing, publishers of Backtrack, and Warners, the distributors, are pleased to offer 12-month subscriptions at 10% off their standard prices, and typically 25% off the UK cover price.

RCTS offer

Backtrack is the premier magazine covering the history of our railways, with substantial, well-informed articles, outstanding illustrations, and high production standards.

Every Society Member that takes out a subscription to the all-new magazine Trackside, which is claimed to be the “ultimate guide for all your railway needs”, will benefit the Society financially. This new railway title is a journal aimed at the railway preservation scene and the new adventures for it. To take out a subscription, please log onto tracksidemag.co.uk, then scroll down to subscriptions. At the top of the next page, click on “Have a Promo Code” and enter “RCTS“. When the page refreshes you will see a “Thank You” in red.

A one-year subscription to Traction magazine is available by entering the TRA/RCTS20 code on the Traction Subscription website. Alternatively you can call 01778 392012 to obtain the discount.

The Society has secured a Members’ benefit of 10% discount on the five railway magazines published by Morton’s – Railway Magazine, Heritage Railway, Rail Express, Railways Illustrated and Steam Days.

The Railway Magazine, Britain’s biggest rail title and a fixture in the news stands since 1897, offers in-depth coverage of news of the entire rail sector, from modern to historic – you could even access that entire 124 years of history by building upon your subscription.
Heritage Railway provides in-depth news and features from the world of steam preservation
Rail Express is the magazine for the modern rail enthusiast and modeller, but always with an eye to the history of the sector.
Railways Illustrated has a unique perspective on the modern railways scene with in-depth articles and features
Steam Days transports you back to the halcyon days of the UK’s railways.

To take advantage of this offer, please use the dedicated link: http://www.classicmagazines.co.uk/rcts23

PLUS when you take out a subscription the publisher, Mortons Media Group, will donate £4 directly to the RCTS. The offer currently runs until 31 December 2023.

Books

Members are entitled to a discount on Society publications- details on this website. In addition:-

Book Law 15% discount on newly published books (i.e. those that are not already on offer at a special price) with the exception of those published by Wild Swan, Lightmoor and the RCTS).

Middleton Press 10% off all Middleton titles.

Software

PC-Rail Simulations – 2022 offer

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a signaller? PC-Rail offers high quality railway signalling and operating simulations. The simulations are highly interactive and range from 1950s and 1960s nostalgia to complex modern-day situations with large control areas. For use with Windows-based systems up to Windows 11, each simulation puts the user in charge of a signal box or control centre. Train speeds and characteristics are authentically modelled, and the user can control the speed of the clock to match their ability!

Normally, you would need to spend over £100 to get a discount, but type “RCTS21” into the Special Discount Code in the Shopping Basket and Society Members will receive a 10% reduction. PC-Rail’s website can be found at https://pcrail.co.uk. Prepare to lose hours of your life…

Holiday accommodation

Coalport station in Shropshire is the site for two ex-GWR railway carriages converted to holiday accommodation. One carriage sleeps six, the other four.

www.coalportstation.com

Please use the discount code: RAILFAN23 to get 5% off when you book. Valid on all stays booked for 2023.

Heritage railways

Wells & Walsingham Light Railway £2 discount on travel ticket price

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. This line is offering a 25% discount on fares other than at special events.

South Tynedale Railway Withdrawn: We regret the former 10% discounts on travel and onsite shop are no longer available. The line reopens for weekend services on 2nd April 2022. https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/

Other societies

Railway Employees & Public Transport Association REPTA

Withdrawn. Membership (£5) previously entitled you to a range of special offers and discounts across a wide range of leisure activities and attractions, but REPTA has announced that it is closing down at the end of 2023. REPTA Statement

National Wagon Preservation Group

This group is offering a 50% reduction in the annual membership fee, details can be found at www.nwpg.co.uk.

Membership of the group then allows a 10% discount on its publication which lists all UK rolling stock which can be purchased at www.ukdatafile.com using the discount code wwr10disc.

Marlow Railway Society

£1 discount when attending their meetings. mrds.org.uk

Members’ shop

The items listed below are currently available to purchase, some at sale prices. Click on the product images to read full details of each item.

Shipping is charged on the whole order. There are flat rates for UK addresses as follows:

Books and binders – £4
Small clothing items – £3
Large clothing items – £6
Face masks – £1

Mixed orders will be charged at the highest applicable rate.

Non-UK address are charged 40% of the price (min. £5), calculated as the basket is added to.

Payment can be made by credit/debit card into the Society’s Paypal account. You do not need your own Paypal account to use this service.

This Shop is in the Members’ Area. Some publications are offered at reduced prices for members, and it is here that various RCTS-branding clothing is available and binders for the Railway Observer.

More about RCTS Publications View Basket

Featured publications

All items

View Basket

Locomotives of the LNER

The definitive series – originally published in 19 parts 1963-1994 – is now available again, in eight volumes. Members should visit the RCTS Digital Archive to learn more about how the series has been relaunched.

Book orders are fulfilled globally by Amazon. Amazon UK links. In other countries, search Amazon using “Locomotives of the LNER”.
PDF downloads are fulfilled by a separate RCTS online shop at https://archive.rcts.org.uk/rcts-shop/

Membership renewal

Wills and Bequests

The Wills & Bequests leaflet can be stored with your will and gives executors clear guidance about what should happen to railwayana collections. The Society Secretary holds a register.

Download Wills & Bequests leaflet

Directory of RCTS officers

Updates and corrections to webmaster@rcts.org.uk

President: REVEREND CANON BRIAN R ARMAN, 59 Kenmore Crescent, Filton Park, Bristol BS7 0TP.

Vice‐Presidents: E V FRY, R A LISSENDEN, A C MacLEOD, T M B SILCOCK, J B SWEET

Founded by: L. B. LAPPER and A. E. BROAD

Board of Trustees

Title	Name	Telephone	Email	Postal address
Chairman	James Milne	07974 215467	chairman@rcts.org.uk	Pipers Barn, Pipers Hill, Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire HP1 3BY
Secretary	Richard Morris	07954 348519	secretary@rcts.org.uk	2 Daylesford Close, Benhall, Cheltenham GL51 6DH
Treasurer	Reg Wood	0117 302 6634	treasurer@rcts.org.uk	70 Heathfields, Downend, Bristol BS16 6HS
Branch Liaison	Irene Rabbitts	01932 855015	liaison@rcts.org.uk	34 Victory Park Road, Addlestone KT15 2AZ
Commercial Officer	Mike Robinson	07717 637565	observer@rcts.org.uk	4 Doonview Gardens, Doonfoot, Ayr KA7 4HZ
Development Officer	David Cross	07801 905293	development@rcts.org.uk	11 Brook Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4PT
Trustee	David Goddard	07961 563768	membership@rcts.org.uk	39 West End, Haddenham, Ely CB6 3TD
Trustee	David Bird	01628 823792	publications@rcts.org.uk	16 Welby Close, Cox Green, Maidenhead SL6 3PY
Trustee	Andy Davies	01932 855015	archive@rcts.org.uk	34 Victory Park Road, Addlestone KT15 2AZ
Trustee	John Redgate	01628 476265	john.redgate@rcts.org.uk	Hillside House, 7 Frieth Road, Marlow SL7 2QT

Governance groups

Title	Name	Telephone	Email	Postal address
1 Administration
Group Leader	Richard Morris (Society Secretary) (BoT)	07954 348519	secretary@rcts.org.uk	2 Daylesford Close, Benhall, Cheltenham GL51 6DH
Deputy Chairman	David Bird (BoT)	01628 823792	publications@rcts.org.uk	16 Welby Close, Cox Green, Maidenhead SL6 3PY
Minutes Taker	Paul Chancellor	0121 453 3277	558 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove B61 0HT
Branch Liaison Officer	Irene Rabbitts (BoT)	01932 855015	liaison@rcts.org.uk	34 Victory Park Road, Addlestone KT15 2AZ
Membership Secretary	David Goddard (BoT)	07961 563768	membership@rcts.org.uk	39 West End, Haddenham, Ely CB6 3TD
Digital Officer	Matthew Shaw	07919 146480	digital@rcts.org.uk	2 Linden Avenue, Maidenhead SL6 6HB
RCTS email addresses	Matthew Shaw	07919 146480	addresses@rcts.org.uk	2 Linden Avenue, Maidenhead SL6 6HB
2 Financial
Group Leader	Reg Wood (Society Treasurer) (BoT)	0117 302 6634	treasurer@rcts.org.uk	70 Heathfields, Downend, Bristol BS16 6HS
Assistant Treasurer – Branch Finances	Chris Basford	0208 6608622	branchfinance@rcts.org.uk	Tor Cottage, 106 Whyteleafe Hill, Whyteleafe, Surrey CR3 0AE
Assistant Treasurer – Renewals	Steve Ollive	01628 824679	renewals@rcts.org.uk	85 Bissley Drive, Maidenhead SL6 3UY
Assistant Treasurer – Commercial	Denis Horsman	01425 483726	pubsfinance@rcts.org.uk	1 Pineholt Close, St Ives, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2NE
3 Strategy
Group Leader	David Cross	07801 905293	development@rcts.org.uk	11 Brook Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4PT
Strategic Planning Officer	Paul Chancellor	0121 453 3277	liveries@rcts.org.uk	558 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove B61 0HT
Exhibitions & Events Officer	Dr Steve Lacey	01438 728880	hitchin.chairman@rcts.org.uk	25 Boswell Gardens, Stevenage SG1 4SB
Publicity Officer	Keith Merritt	07853 224684	publicity@rcts.org.uk	12 Pound Gate, Alton GU34 2HQ
Publicity Communications	Roger Sandford	chichesterchair@rcts.org.uk
Social Media Officer	Tim Bellenger	socaial_media@rcts.org.uk
Nameplate Administrator	David Cross	07801 905293	nameplates@rcts.org.uk	11 Brook Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4PT
4 Commercial
Group Leader	Mike Robinson (Commercial Officer) (BoT)	07717 637565	observer@rcts.org.uk	4 Doonview Gardens, Doonfoot, Ayr KA7 4HZ
Publications – Trade Sales	David Bird (BoT)	01628 823792	publications@rcts.org.uk	16 Welby Close, Cox Green, Maidenhead SL6 3PY
Publications – Sales	VACANCY
Assistant Treasurer – Commercial	Denis Horsman	01425 483726	pubsfinance@rcts.org.uk	1 Pineholt Close, St Ives, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2NE
Chief Archivist	Andy Davies (BoT)	01932 855015	archive@rcts.org.uk	34 Victory Park Road, Addlestone KT15 2AZ
Historic Timetable & WTT Curator – 1970 to date	Kurt Sickelmore	wttpost1969@rcts.org.uk	187 Charlbury Road, Wollaton, Nottingham NG8 1NF
Photographic Archivist	c/o Andy Davies	photoarchive@rcts.org.uk
Photographic Portfolio	Bob Avery	07977 892355	folio@rcts.org.uk
Liveries Library	Paul Chancellor (see Strategic Planning Officer above)	0121 453 3277	558 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove B61 0HT
Managing Editor – The Railway Observer (RO)	Mike Robinson (BoT)	07717 637565	observer@rcts.org.uk	4 Doonview Gardens, Doonfoot, Ayr KA7 4HZ

Railway Observer editorial contacts

Operating Reports – Forward to the Regional Editor or Subeditor as appropriate
All Other Submissions – Forward to the appropriate Topic Editor or, if uncertain, direct to ropostbox@rcts.org.uk

Title	Name	Telephone	Email	Postal address
Managing Editor	Mike Robinson	07717 637565	observer@rcts.org.uk	4 Doonview Gardens, Doonfoot, Ayr KA7 4HZ
Deputy ME	David Bird	01628 823792	publications@rcts.org.uk	16 Welby Close, Cox Green, Maidenhead SL6 3PY
Imaging Editor (Joint)	David Kelso	01843 868124	roimages@rcts.org.uk	6 The Fairways, Convent Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 3EF
Imaging Editor (Joint)	Peter Hicks	roimages@rcts.org.uk
Features Development Assistant	Evan Williams	features@rcts.org.uk
REGIONAL EDITORS – Operating Reports
Eastern & North Eastern	Dafydd Wigley	ro-eastern@rcts.org.uk
London Midland – South	Bob Ballard	01908 562195	lmsouth@rcts.org.uk	1 Henders, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK11 1RB
London Midland – North	Vacancy	westcoastnorth@rcts.org.uk
Scotland	Callum MacLeod	01764 653928	ro-scotland@rcts.org.uk	Craigmyle, 55 Carrington Terrace, Crieff PH7 4DZ
Southern	Robert Payne	07754 451519	ropostbox@rcts.org.uk	56B Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1DF
Western	Peter Everingham	01268 786246	rowestern@rcts.org.uk	20 Ely Way, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 9TR
Subeditor – South Wales	Peter Fortune	07963 439903	southwales@rcts.org.uk	3 Sycamore Close, Radyr, Cardiff CF15 8RT
TOPIC EDITORS
Branch News	Steve Batty	01757 228718	branchnews@rcts.org.uk	2 Briarwood Close, Gateforth, Selby YO8 9LW
Fixtures & Ads	Geoff Brockett	020 8989 4386	roadverts&fixtures@rcts.org.uk	155 Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, London E18 1NA
Infrastructure	Phil Deaves	infrastructure@rcts.org.uk	47 Tulip Tree Close, Swindon SN2 1RR
International	Vacancy	international@rcts.org.uk
Nostalgia Corner	Vacancy	nostalgia@rcts.org.uk
Preservation & Heritage Rail	Richard Neale	01242 530465	heritage@rcts.org.uk	15 Woodlands Road, Cheltenham GL51 3RS
Publication Reviews	Geoff Bannister	01643 702085	pubsreviews@rcts.org.uk	47 Paganel Road, Minehead TA24 5EX
Query Corner	Paul Chancellor	0121 453 3277	querycorner@rcts.org.uk	558 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove B61 0HT
RO Index	Paddy Carey	01992 551536	roindex@rcts.org.uk	31 Ware Road, Hertford SG13 7EB
T&RS – Coaching Stock	Lawrie Bowles	01654 713972	coachingstock@rcts.org.uk	5 Cambrian Terrace, Tywyn LL36 0AG
T&RS – Locos & Work	Andrew Lait	(located Canada)	ourlocos@rcts.org.uk
Urban & Other Railways	c/o Richard Neale	ro-urban@rcts.org.uk	15 Woodlands Road, Cheltenham GL51 3RS

Branch secretaries

Branch	Name	Telephone	Email	Postal address
Bristol & District	Paul Udey	01225 427779	bristol@rcts.org.uk	18 Hensley Road, Bath BA2 2DR
Cambridge	Tony Field	07968 350131	cambridge@rcts.org.uk	3 The Chantry, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5EJ
Cheltenham	John Howland	cheltenham@rcts.org.uk	25 Hayes Road, Cheltenham GL52 2QF
Chichester	Roger Sandford	chichester@rcts.org.uk
Croydon & South London	Peter Wilson	01737 355150	croydon@rcts.org.uk	111 Chipstead Way, Woodmansterne, Banstead SM7 3JJ
East Midlands	Dave Coxon	07704 409065	eastmidlands@rcts.org.uk	9 West Crescent, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1QF
Furness, Lakes & Lune	Alan Sattenstall	01524 34840	furnesslakesandlune@rcts.org.uk	49 Sefton Drive, Lancaster LA1 2QD
Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City	David Elsdon	01438 714277	hitchin@rcts.org.uk	24 Harmer Green Lane, Digswell, Welwyn AL6 0AX
Humberside	Carey Vessey	01482 351774	humberside@rcts.org.uk	2 Legarde Avenue, High Road, Hull HU4 6AP
Ipswich & District	Bev Steele	01449 677244	ipswich.branch@rcts.org.uk	40 Polstead Close, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 2PJ
Lancashire & North West	Ian Derrick	01704 808875	lancsnorthwest@rcts.org.uk	14 Sandiway Court, Preston Road, Southport PR9 9EG
Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales	Nigel Bowker	07802 258489	merseyside@rcts.org.uk
Milton Keynes	Mark Richards	01908 520028	miltonkeynes@rcts.org.uk	7 Parkside, Furzton, Milton Keynes MK4 1BX
North East	Malcolm Hammond	01609 778903	darlington@rcts.org.uk	The Garths, Bullamor, Northallerton DL6 3QP
Northampton	Roger Deacon	01604 890275	northampton@rcts.org.uk	Homefield, Sation Road, Little Houghton, Northampton NN7 1AJ
Peterborough	Colin Greatrex	01832 273762	peterborough@rcts.org.uk
Scottish	Richard Thorburn	0131 623 3137	scotland@rcts.org.uk	2 Tryst Park, Hunter’s Tryst, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh EH10 7HD
Sheffield	Jim Bryant	0114 268 0019	sheffieldfixtures@rcts.org.uk	20 Endcliffe Hall Avenue, Sheffield S10 3EL
Solent	Denis Horsman	01425 483726	solent@rcts.org.uk	1 Pineholt Close, St Ives, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2NE
South Essex	David Cope	07801 848877	southessex@rcts.org.uk	251 Linnet Drive, Chelmsford CM2 8AZ
South Wales/De Cymru	Philip Stallard	southwales@rcts.org.uk	100 Stelvio Park Drive, Newport NP20 3ES
Surrey	Irene Rabbitts	01932 855015	surrey@rcts.org.uk	34 Victory Park Road, Addlestone KT15 2AZ
Thames Valley	Stuart Hicks	tv-secretary@rcts.org.uk	2 Queen Annes Gate, Reading RG4 5DU
Watford	Rob Davidson	07803 941531	watford@rcts.org.uk	8 Tower Close, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6TB
West of England	Charles Woodland	07768 662331	westofengland@rcts.org.uk	1 Iolanthe Drive, Whipton, Exeter EX4 9DZ
West Midlands	Derek Huntriss	07811 980585	westmidlands@rcts.org.uk	53 Tennyson Road, Stoke, Coventry CV2 5HZ
West Riding	Bob Green	01347 811174	westriding@rcts.org.uk	1 Thompson Garth, Stillington, York YO61 1NN
Windsor & Maidenhead	Sally Goddard	07876 663864	maidenhead@rcts.org.uk	39 West End, Haddenham, Ely CB6 3TD