BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society - ECPv6.16.5//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://rcts.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250527T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250527T163000 DTSTAMP:20250430T131241Z CREATED:20241215T120917Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T131241Z UID:10002960-1748354400-1748363400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:That Was The Year That Was 1972 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Geoff Plumb. \nGeoff Plumb returns with another of his popular “That Was the Year That Was” series of presentations. With his usual excellent standard of railway photography\, this time it’s the turn of 1972 and we can expect the presentation to include more of Geoff’s many days out around and about\, including UK scenes in Brighton\, Bristol and the London area\, among others.\nThis time the presentation also features West Germany quite strongly\, but the main event sees a visit to South Africa\, Swaziland and Mozambique for a feast of steam\, in repose and in action! \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/that-was-the-year-that-was-1972/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/May-2025-Geoff-Plumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250513T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250513T163000 DTSTAMP:20250430T131342Z CREATED:20241215T104717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T131342Z UID:10002957-1747144800-1747153800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Cambridge Area Railways\, Yesterday & Today (Part 2) DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Dave Scudamore. \nCambridge Area Railways\, Yesterday & Today (Part 2) starts back at Cambridge and following another look around the station area heads north to Chesterton Junction where we follow the route of the St Ives line (now misguided busway).\nNext we look at the Mildenhall line as far as Fordham & then to Soham. Back at Cambridge our next journey is to Newmarket before returning to Cambridge for a shed visit before\, time permitting\, heading south via the goods line towards Audley End. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/cambridge-area-railways-yesterday-today-part-2/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/May-2025-David-Scudamore-61306-Cambridge-North-310819-copyright-David-Scudamore.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T163000 DTSTAMP:20250326T103130Z CREATED:20241213T175509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T103130Z UID:10002956-1745935200-1745944200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Sir Nigel Gresley\, His Life and Work DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Simon Martin. \nFollowing on from last year’s lecture on Edward Thompson\, we now turn our attention to his predecessor’s work and designs\, using fresh sources of primary information compared alongside previously conceived and published research. We can review his work and see in a fresh light with better understanding the real achievements and innovations Sir Nigel Gresley led the way in for the railway industry as a whole. In addition\, we examine all of Gresley’s designs and those of other engineers he modified during his tenure\, and how he encouraged and nurtured others who would ultimately succeed him.\nAll of this is fully supported with a wealth of references\, tables\, graphs and a fabulous array of photographs\, many of which have never been in print before\, as we utilise the resources and archives of the Gresley Society.\n Simon Martin \nDoors open at 13:00 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/sir-nigel-gresley-his-life-and-work/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2025-Simon-Martin.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250408T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250408T163000 DTSTAMP:20250326T102912Z CREATED:20241213T175010Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T102912Z UID:10002955-1744120800-1744129800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:A Caledonian Collection DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Roger Pidgeon. \nIn the photo – \nCaledonian express locomotive No 78 at the West Walls engine shed\, just north of Carlisle Citadel Station . Loco rebuilt 1868. Photo around early 1870s\nNote the 8 ft driving wheel \, the big Crewe end and the Giffard injector by the cab door. \nDoors open at 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/a-caledonian-collection/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2025-Roger-Pidgeon.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250325T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250325T163000 DTSTAMP:20241205T163150Z CREATED:20241205T163150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241205T163150Z UID:10002922-1742911200-1742920200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:AGM and German Steam DESCRIPTION:The Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch AGM followed by a presentation by George Howe. \nDetails to follow. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/agm-and-german-steam/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250311T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250311T163000 DTSTAMP:20241205T162730Z CREATED:20241205T162730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241205T162730Z UID:10002921-1741701600-1741710600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:1960's Cine Miscellany DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by David Percival. \nDetails to follow. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/1960s-cine-miscellany/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250225T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250225T163000 DTSTAMP:20250124T142932Z CREATED:20241205T162252Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T142932Z UID:10002920-1740492000-1740501000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Remembering my Lines DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Colin Brading. \n‘Remembering My Lines’ is a personal ‘photographic potpourri’ of many and varied railway themes. On a wide-ranging journey\, Colin will share favourite scenes\, places and images that span from his early years with notebooks on platforms to the present-day\, reflecting a life-long passion for railways and a fifty-year career as a professional railway engineer. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/remembering-my-lines-2/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Feb-2025-Colin-Brading-IOM.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250211T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250211T163000 DTSTAMP:20250124T142526Z CREATED:20241205T161905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T142526Z UID:10002919-1739282400-1739291400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The Last Decade at Hitchin DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Richard Allen. \nIn the presenter’s own words: \nI will be presenting Part 2 of recent goings-on at Hitchin\, covering the last 11 years or so\, where I have tried to record (work commitments\, Covid-19 etc permitting!) as much as possible of the happenings on the local railway scene. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-last-decade-at-hitchin/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Feb-2025-Richard-Allen-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250128T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250128T163000 DTSTAMP:20241213T173829Z CREATED:20241130T120530Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T173829Z UID:10002907-1738072800-1738081800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Memories of a Gorleston Spotter (Part 1) DESCRIPTION:A presentation by Chris Wright for the Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch. \nFrom the presenter\, in his own words: \nChris Wright grew up in the 1950s and 60s in the Norfolk seaside town of Gorleston-on-Sea. His talk covers memories of early days spotting in Norfolk: on holidays with the family\, and numerous school holiday stays with relatives in Hitchin between 1959 and 1965\, where he became an honorary member of the local spotting fraternity\, and with whom he did many trips in pursuit of steam as it receded from the East of England. His talk is in two parts\, the first on Tuesday 28th January 2025 and the second on Tuesday 28th October 2025 \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/memories-of-a-gorleston-spotter-part-1/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Jan-2025-Chris-Wright-a-repeat.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250114T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250114T163000 DTSTAMP:20241214T222624Z CREATED:20241130T115746Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T222624Z UID:10002906-1736863200-1736872200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:North from Kings Cross - Photos from the RCTS Archive DESCRIPTION:A Presentation by David Jackman for the Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch. \nDavid Jackman will present a photographic review of the southern ECML as seen through the lens of the society’s photographic archive. This will feature both steam and diesel eras – not completely forgetting the electric era – with the odd deviation along the way. \nIn the photo Class B1 No. 61272 on the up ‘Butlins Holiday Express’ at Hitchin 2/7/60 (Courtney Haydon) \nPlease note that this will be at the new venue in Hitchin and will start at 14:00. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/north-from-kings-cross-photos-from-the-rcts-archive/ LOCATION:St Marks Church Hall\, Hitchin SG5 1UR\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR CATEGORIES:HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Jan-2025-David-Jackman-2-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241217T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241217T163000 DTSTAMP:20241213T170223Z CREATED:20240829T132330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T170223Z UID:10002820-1734444000-1734453000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Hitchin & Potton Snippets DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by George Howe.\nThis replaces the previously advertised presentation. \nIn the words of the presenter = \nI moved to Potton in August 1952\, aged 10\, into a railway cottage next to the Bedford to Cambridge branch\, very near to Potton Station. I met some new friends and cycled to Sandy with them\, and soon found there was such a hobby as train spotting.\nBy Spring 1953 I brought my first ABC books – for the Eastern and Midland regions. Seventy one years later I have still not been cured.\nAfter leaving school at 15\, with a story attached which will come to light in my talk\, I became Telegraph Lad at HF. Hitchin South signal box.\nThroughout my railway career\, I later relieved\, worked\, was involved with engineering work\, and various emergencies at Hitchin on many occasions.\nThese experiences have made many “snippets”. \nAt this pre-Christmas meeting there will be “festive nibbles” available to all attendees! \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/railway-preservation-in-france/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Dec-2024-George-Howe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241210T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241210T220000 DTSTAMP:20241213T165932Z CREATED:20240829T131620Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T165932Z UID:10002818-1733859000-1733868000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Five Go to Swansea - Part 2 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Chris Jones. \nIn the words of the presenter – \nResearching for a part two on Swansea stations has proved an interesting challenge. However the material has been coming in and the coverage will be extensive after all there were over 30 stations listed at one time and some like Grovesend are a rare sight. The Swansea 00 gauge modellers group often bring insights to long lost collieries. \nAt this pre-Christmas meeting there will be “festive nibbles” available to all attendees! \nDoors open 19:00 for a 19:30 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/five-go-to-swansea-part-2/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Mumbles-train-1923-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241126T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241126T163000 DTSTAMP:20241010T143154Z CREATED:20240829T132008Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T143154Z UID:10002819-1732629600-1732638600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Colchester in the Age of Steam DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Dave Goodyear. \nColchester has much to interest the railway enthusiast and historian. Within its original borough boundaries it had a major junction\, three stations and associated goods yards\, a motive power depot and a quay tramway. Passenger traffic included large numbers of holiday trains to the Norfolk and Essex coasts\, and boat trains to Parkeston Quay in addition to the regular services. Local industries and the quay at Hythe provided for significant goods traffic. In the period up to the end of steam in September 1962 the area underwent major changes\, with the rapid introduction of diesel traction\, the first application by BR of 25kV AC electrification and a major station rebuild with associated track layout changes. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/colchester-in-the-age-of-steam-3/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Nov-2024-580913-Colchester-65457-3_44-to-Cambridge-via-Sudbury.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241112T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241112T220000 DTSTAMP:20241012T102859Z CREATED:20240829T131101Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241012T102859Z UID:10002817-1731439800-1731448800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The 11th Colour Rail Journey DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Paul Chancellor. \nThe spotter of 1964 could record some 280 different classes of locomotives and units if they travelled throughout the country and we will see most of them during our ramble around the UK.\nThe photo is in the North East at Tyne Dock shed and features a 9Fs – one fitted with air pumps which could be found working the iron ore trains to Consett. \nDoors open 19:00 for a 19:30 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-11th-colour-rail-journey/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Nov-2024-Paul-Chancellor-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241029T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241029T163000 DTSTAMP:20240923T133314Z CREATED:20240729T204441Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T133314Z UID:10002743-1730210400-1730219400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Travels Around Ukraine by Steam DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Michael Smyth. \nPictures from three trips to the Ukraine in 1993\, 1999 and 2002. These illustrate Russian designed steam locomotives at work and explains the American influence of the 1930s.\nMore importantly it aims to give an insight into the history\, geography and normal life\, in this now sadly war-torn country.\nThe picture above is a P36 class 4-8-4 on a run-past – Russia’s final post-WWII design of an express passenger engine\, of which 250 were built up to 1959. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/travels-around-ukraine-by-steam/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/October-2024-Michael-Smyth-043-scaled.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241008T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241008T220000 DTSTAMP:20240923T133052Z CREATED:20240729T204051Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T133052Z UID:10002742-1728415800-1728424800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Mandarin Madness - Solo Travels in China DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by David Longman. \nWhat do you do if you want to photograph steam in China but don’t speak the language\, can’t afford a guide or an interpreter and dislike big groups? In a moment of ‘Mandarin Madness’ you decide to go it alone of course! Dave Longman recalls the pitfalls and the pleasures of solo travel in a country in the throws of radical change. \nDoors open 19:00. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/mandarin-madness-solo-travels-in-china/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/October-2024-Handan-09-SY0800-and-SY1393-in-yard.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240924T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240924T163000 DTSTAMP:20240829T134728Z CREATED:20240729T203425Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T134728Z UID:10002741-1727186400-1727195400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Through Kirton Tunnel - Sheffield to Cleethorpes DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Stephen Gay. \nOur annual presentation from Stephen. Expect to hear the story behind each of the photos. Also expect to hear his poetry. \nDoors open 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/through-kirton-tunnel-kirton-lindsey-to-cleethorpes/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Sept-2024-Steven-Gay.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240910T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240910T220000 DTSTAMP:20240829T134539Z CREATED:20240729T202950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T134539Z UID:10002740-1725996600-1726005600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:A Driver's Eye View - 48 Years on the Railway DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Andy Grimmett. \nIn his own words – \nMy presentation looks mainly at the engineering side of my life on the railway\, showing some of the areas l had to work at\, plus a look at some of the various vehicles and equipment used\, relative to the permanent way\, spanning over 48 years in railway service at both Stratford MPD and Ilford Car Sheds.\n Andy Grimmett \nDoors open 19:00. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/a-drivers-eye-view-48-years-on-the-railway/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Sept-2024-37047.-On-engs-train.-Stratford-area.-Aug-1995.-AFG.-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240811 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240812 DTSTAMP:20240701T165315Z CREATED:20240522T100218Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240701T165315Z UID:10002637-1723334400-1723420799@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Visit to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway DESCRIPTION:This is the Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch summer outing.\nAn all-day visit to the C&PRR with added “extras” including the opportunity to visit the Princes Risborough North Signal Box. This is a “red timetable” day with both steam and diesel services operating. Currently the plan is to meet at Chinnor about 10:00-10:15 in order to take the 10:45 service to Princes Risborough. If travelling by national rail services it is also practicable to join the group at Princes Risborough – let the Branch Secretary know when making your booking. Latest date for confirming and paying for your booking – 30 July.\nPlaces must be booked in advance – no on-the-day participation. Payment details are shown in the July issue of “Railway Ramblings” (the branch newsletter). \nConfirm your place(s) with the Branch Secretary\, Dave Elsdon\, by phone (01438 714277) or email to Hitchin@rcts.org.uk. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/visit-to-the-chinnor-princes-risborough-railway/ LOCATION:Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Outdoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Chinnor-Station.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240730T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240730T163000 DTSTAMP:20240522T111645Z CREATED:20240503T140900Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240522T111645Z UID:10002630-1722348000-1722357000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Another Western European Miscellany DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Rob Freeman. \nI will be showing a variety of themes from various countries from my collection of modern traction photos that I have been taking for the last 40 years or so. There will be scenes from France\, Germany\, Belgium\, The Netherlands\, Luxembourg\, Austria and Switzerland. There are also sections on liveries\, Eurosheds\, unusual workings and number curiosities. Exact topics shown will depend on the time and the wishes of the audience!\nThe picture shows CC1451 at Richemont doing the sort of job it was designed for\, hauling a heavy train of iron ore in 1990. The 102 locos of this class were very powerful\, but had a maximum speed of only 60 kph\, which was their downfall in later years.\nRob Freeman \nDoors open 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/a-further-western-european-miscellany/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/July-2024-Rob-Freeman-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240709T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240709T220000 DTSTAMP:20240603T111415Z CREATED:20240503T140521Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240603T111415Z UID:10002629-1720553400-1720562400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The Deltics - Worthy Successors to the A4s ? DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Michael Smyth. \nThe Deltics and the A4s have a common background in that both were the result of developments of Germany diesel engine technology in the 1930s. This talk explains how this came about and then continues with the story of Deltics in mainline service to their withdrawal at the end of 1981. It concludes with a summary of their subsequent use in preservation up to the present day. It is illustrated with photographs from the 1960s onwards\, all taken by the speaker and unpublished. Ideally it will stir memories of these exceptional machines and provoke comment and discussion. \nDoors open at 19:00 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-deltics-worthy-successors-to-the-a4s/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/July-2024-Michael-Smyth-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240625T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240625T163000 DTSTAMP:20240624T195444Z CREATED:20240503T135954Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240624T195444Z UID:10002628-1719324000-1719333000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The History of the 125 High Speed Train 1975-2023 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Richard Morris. \nThe Inter City 125 High Speed Trains were introduced to the Great British public in 1975 after the Advanced Passenger Train project stalled a bit. The HSTs were intended to be a stop-gap\, but ended up forming the core Inter City fleet for Britain’s Railways for more than 40 years\, serving the Western Region\, Eastern Region and Midland Main line\, along with Cross Country services. The programme will take a look back from the early days and bring us up to 2023. \nThe image is of Great Western’s 43094 – at Casnewydd (otherwise known as Newport\, South Wales) on 23rd October 2006. The power car was recently outshopped in the\, then\, latest FGW livery and had also just been fitted with an MTU 16V4000 power unit. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-history-of-the-125-high-speed-train-1975-2023/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/June-2024-Welwyn-Richard-Morris-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240611T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240611T220000 DTSTAMP:20240503T135338Z CREATED:20240503T134642Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240503T135338Z UID:10002627-1718134200-1718143200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:A Decade of Change - 2011 Onwards DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Peter Robins. \nFollowing my move to digital photography in 2011\, this country-wide presentation takes a look over the following decade\, including some steam charters\, showing that our railways were still undergoing many changes. The subject matter of many of these “modern” 21st century images is now consigned to history. \nThe photo shows 1A79\, 06:47 Penzance – Paddington with HST power car 43162 leading a full rake of FGW blue liveried trailers passing Langstone Rock\, Dawlish on 14/05/2019\, four days before the end of full HST working on GWR. \nThe presentation goes up to 2020 and looking at 2021-2024\, there has been just as much change so there may be a part 2. \nDoors open 19:00 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/a-decade-of-change-2011-onwards/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/June-2024-Hitchin.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240528T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240528T163000 DTSTAMP:20240405T152610Z CREATED:20240201T115859Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240405T152610Z UID:10002570-1716904800-1716913800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Railtours and Specials (Part 2) DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: John Day. \nFollowing on from the May 2023 presentation “Railtours\, Specials and Unusual Workings” this second presentation\, on the same theme\, looks at archive material that didn’t make the cut last time plus additional new material. A lot seems to have happened in the last year with some interesting Railtours and unusual workings! Hopefully something to enthuse everyone! \ndoors open 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/railtours-and-specials-part-2/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/May-2024-John-Day-37114-at-Westerfield-6Z06-09-40-Temple-MIlls-Lowewstoft-05-08-03.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240514T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240514T220000 DTSTAMP:20240405T152143Z CREATED:20240201T114318Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240405T152143Z UID:10002566-1715715000-1715724000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Memories of a Gorleston Spotter - Part 2 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Chris Wright \nIn part two of his talk\, Chris will describe spotting in Hitchin 1962 to 1965\, and the many trips he took from Hitchin\, in the company of local spotter pals\, in pursuit of steam elsewhere. He will also talk about his final forays chasing steam across the Midlands and further north 1965 to 1967. \nDoors open 19:00 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/steam-in-the-1960s-part-2/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/October-2023-Chris-Wright-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T163000 DTSTAMP:20240229T111350Z CREATED:20240201T115556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T111350Z UID:10002569-1714485600-1714494600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:That Was The Year That Was - 1971 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Geoff Plumb \nGeoff returns with another of his popular TWTYTW series. \n‘That Was the Year That Was – 1971’. A very busy year covering railways in the UK\, including British Railways\, industrials\, some North Wales narrow gauge\, last of steam on London Transport\, Humber paddle steamers\, and the Bulmer’s Cider Train return to steam. Interspersed with several trips to West Germany and also East Germany. \nDoors open: 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/that-was-the-year-that-was-1971-2/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2024-Deoff-Plumb-1971-12-30-King-Class-6000-George-V.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240409T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240409T220000 DTSTAMP:20240405T153353Z CREATED:20240201T113948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240405T153353Z UID:10002565-1712691000-1712700000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Cambridge Area Railways - Yesterday & Today (Part 1) DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: David Scudamore \nIn this presentation (Part 1 of a series) David will look in detail at all aspects of the Cambridge railway scene including its history\, infrastructure\, artefacts\, trains & locomotives from the steam age to the present day. He will then take us north along the line to Ely and\, time permitting\, may also look at the Cambridge to St Ives line. \nDoors open 19:00 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/cambridge-area-railways-yesterday-today-part-1/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2024-34027-70000-Cambridge-Coalfields-Yard-19-Oct-1991-copyright-David-Scudamore-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240326T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240326T163000 DTSTAMP:20240229T105403Z CREATED:20240201T115204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T105403Z UID:10002568-1711461600-1711470600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Tunnel Vision - The History of the Metropolitan Railway DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Colin Brading. \nThe story of the Metropolitan\, the world’s first underground railway. Less than four miles long when it opened – to great acclaim – in January 1863\, this ‘little acorn’ grew as a proud independent company to spread many branches and ‘the Met’ has shaped and served London’s metropolis with great distinction and character ever since. \nDoors open: 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/tunnel-vision-the-history-of-the-metropolitan-railway/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/March-2023-Colin-Brading.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240312T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240312T220000 DTSTAMP:20240229T105122Z CREATED:20240201T113531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T105122Z UID:10002564-1710271800-1710280800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Branch AGM + The Son of a Rail Enthusiast DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Event. \nThe branch AGM – followed by a presentation given by Richard Cole\, son of David Cole who was the founder of the branch and a Vice President of the RCTS. Richard will be looking through some of his dad’s slides and explaining how his passion for railways influenced his life. He will review his 41 years on the railway\, touching on various parts of BR such as Red Star Parcels\, Railfreight/Channel Tunnel through to the Intercity Express Programme\, Transport for Wales and MetroWest schemes. \nThe AGM will start at 19:30 and the presentation will follow immediately (estimated 20:00) \nPapers for the AGM appear as a supplement to the February issue of “Railway Ramblings” (The branch newsletter). \nDoors open: 19:00 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/branch-agm-the-son-of-a-rail-enthusiast/ LOCATION:HTC Hitchin\, St Mark's Church\, St Mark's Close\, Lancaster Avenue\, Hitchin\, Hertfordshire\, SG5 1UR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/March-2024-Richard-Cole-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240227T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240227T163000 DTSTAMP:20240201T120757Z CREATED:20240201T114817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240201T120757Z UID:10002567-1709042400-1709051400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:East Anglia in the 2020s DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Iain Scotchman. \nDetails to follow. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/east-anglia-in-the-2020s/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR