About the Society
The RCTS is Britain’s leading organisation for people interested in all aspects of railways past, present and future and is highly regarded by both professional railway people and enthusiasts, a position it has held since its formation in 1928.
The RCTS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, number 1169995. Our VAT number is GB197343335. More about Governance of the Society.
Click the image to view a sample edition from January 2024
Guests
Try out the Society as a guest. Most of the meetings and events are open to visitors.
Donations appreciated.
The Railway Observer
All members receive the Society's magazine online, and a print edition (usually 72 pages) is posted to those choosing a "Printed" membership category.
The magazine covers the current railway scene, including extensive coverage of significant and interesting movements, plus an infrastructure and events update. Urban, Irish and International news is included, together with the latest news from Heritage lines.
Society activities, branch meetings, outdoor visits and rail tours are well represented, as are reviews of the latest publications.
A PDF download
Membership rates for new joiners
Printed RO Membership includes posting of the print edition of The Railway Observer
| Online RO | £10.00 |
| Printed RO UK | £28.00 |
| Printed RO Europe | £52.00 |
| Printed RO Rest of World | £71.00 |
New joiners are benefiting from a "Welcome" discount of £10. Sign up with Direct Debit and save a further £1.
Volunteering
The Society is run entirely by volunteers, at branch level and nationally. If you have some spare time, and maybe some specialist skills, there are many ways you can help
- Publishing
- Image preparation
- Archiving
- Speaking
- Managing events
- Software development
- Administration
- Research
- Authorship
- Librarianship
News
Book launch – The Royal Scots
The Society is pleased to announce the publication of the latest volume in its Locomotives of the LMS series. This book is a detailed history of the LMS Royal Scot…
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Barrow Hill Open Day 2022
Special RCTS Members’ Day – Saturday August 27th 2022 We are excited by the prospects of a stunning Members’ Day on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday weekend this…
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Members Weekend 2022 – Reading
Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd October 2022 We have an exciting programme of events planned for the weekend, including visits to Didcot, Reading depot, and Fawley Hill. Please refer to…
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Members’ Day and AGM 9th April 2022
We are delighted to be able to hold a face-to-face Members’ Day and AGM this year. Please read the special AGM Supplement for full details of the day. AGM Supplement…
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Photograph archiving
January’s National Zoom meeting was a wonderful presentation by The Center for Railroad Photography & Art. Using the Zoom platform meant that the CRPA team could join us from Madison,…
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Website relaunched
The Society has had a website for about 20 years. It has grown from being a simple advertisement to being the main way for many members to interact with the…
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Upcoming events
Virtual events coming up...
There is programme of National events held online, typically monthly. Some branches run them too. Members from any branch may attend and guests are very welcome. For National Meetings, there is no charge for members but donations would be appreciated to help defray the costs. Some branches make a charge because venue hire costs still have to be covered.
A ticket is required. Open the event to find the registration link, and the donations link.
For 2023-24 we have a 500-seat Zoom licence.
On today
‘The View from the North’ illustrated by Steve Batty.
BTL North Filton St Teresa’s Church Hall, 71 Gloucester Road, North FiltonSteve Batty from Selby North Yorkshire is visiting us to present 'The View from the North'.
Please always use https://rcts.org.uk. Users of https://www.rcts.org.uk cannot advance the month.
A fix will be applied at a quiet time for the website.
Society full calendar
Visit the branch pages to discover upcoming events in your specific area.
Calendar of Events
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WFD Branch – ‘Memories are Made of These!’, by Phil Darlaston, 1st October 2024
WFD Branch – ‘Memories are Made of These!’, by Phil Darlaston, 1st October 2024
'Memories are made of these!' - a kind of photographic reminiscence looking back over approx. 50 years at the big railway, main line steam, the maturing preservation scene and perhaps…
2 events,
Trains and Travel in Thailand
Trains and Travel in Thailand
our very own member David Bousfield has extensively travelled in this country and will give his usual excellent presentation,not to be missed
1 event,
Work of the RAIB
Work of the RAIB
Simon Lomax, Principal Inspector of Rail Accidents at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, joins us to explain the work of the RAIB.
1 event,
‘The View from the North’ illustrated by Steve Batty.
‘The View from the North’ illustrated by Steve Batty.
Steve Batty from Selby North Yorkshire is visiting us to present 'The View from the North'.
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
5 events,
Railways in the Cornish Landscape – part 2. by Stephen Gay
Railways in the Cornish Landscape – part 2. by Stephen Gay
Stephen makes a welcome return to the Sheffield branch, continuing his trip west on the Cornish Main Line, this time from Par to Penzance while also taking in the Cornish…
“34081 92 Squadron – from Rust to Renaissance” by Steve Lacey on behalf of the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society
“34081 92 Squadron – from Rust to Renaissance” by Steve Lacey on behalf of the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society
Based on his own involvement with the locomotive, Steve Lacey describes her rescue and restoration from Barry and the complexities of keeping 34081 in working order on the Nene Valley…
Mandarin Madness – Solo Travels in China
Mandarin Madness – Solo Travels in China
A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by David Longman. What do you do if you want to photograph steam in China but don’t speak the language, can’t afford…
1 event,
From West to East and Back Again
From West to East and Back Again
On 9th October 2024, Steve Rickett will take us on a journey from Pembrokeshire to Essex, avoiding London, using secondary routes where possible and going down branch line rabbit holes…
1 event,
Scottish Branch: “To Scotland for Steam (Part 2)” by Rev’d Canon Brian Arman, RCTS President
Scottish Branch: “To Scotland for Steam (Part 2)” by Rev’d Canon Brian Arman, RCTS President
This will be the first meeting to be held by the Scottish Branch at its splendid new venue which is directly opposite Haymarket station. Brian returns to continue his illustrated…
0 events,
3 events,
Farnham & District MRC Exhibition
Farnham & District MRC Exhibition
Surrey Branch will be attending the Farnham & District MRC Exhibition at Aldershot. We will have Society publications and second hand books for sale.
RCTS WEN Branch Meeting : David Hunt – Diesels in the 1980s Part 2
RCTS WEN Branch Meeting : David Hunt – Diesels in the 1980s Part 2
The first meeting of our 2024/25 will see David Hunt return to give us a show of his classic images from the 1980s. A tradition slide show, will see us…
1 event,
Farnham & District MRC Exhibition
Farnham & District MRC Exhibition
Surrey Branch will be attending the Farnham & District MRC Exhibition at Aldershot. We will have Society publications and second hand books for sale.
2 events,
Perhaps the 1990s were more Interesting than I Originally Thought!
Perhaps the 1990s were more Interesting than I Originally Thought!
A look back some three decades (how time flies! - that's a longer geriod than the 'Big Four' lasted), to the end of the nationalised railway era. Our presenter David…
2 events,
East Anglian Railway Heritage
East Anglian Railway Heritage
The presentation includes visits to Heritage Railways in East Anglia from 2011 and more frequent trips to the area following the presenters daughter’s move to Norfolk in 2018, looking at…
HSD branch – Skipton to Mallaig by train 1979-present
HSD branch – Skipton to Mallaig by train 1979-present
Mike Wedgewood - “Skipton to Mallaig by train 1979- present.”
1 event,
4 events,
CHM Branch – McRailrover
CHM Branch – McRailrover
In the 1970s and 1980s, Scotland provided some amazing opportunities to travel around the country, through fantastic scenery, across the roof of the United Kingdom still, then, using locomotive hauled…
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3 events,
The Broad Gauge – Swindon to the West of England
The Broad Gauge – Swindon to the West of England
After his previous visits taking us from Paddington to Swindon and Swindon to West Wales our president, Brian Arman, will take us from Swindon to the West of England.
40 Years of Preserving Deltics
40 Years of Preserving Deltics
Physical meeting at Shenfield Parish Hall also available via Zoom as a Hybrid The 'Deltics' changed the image of East Coast Main Line in the 1960's and became perhaps the…
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2 events,
The Railways of Iran
The Railways of Iran
Tim visited Iran in 2017 with the Farrail group and shares his photos of trains in the magnificent mountains and wonderful deserts of that country. He also presents an overview…
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0 events,
1 event,
Behind Closed Doors
2 events,
Travels Around Ukraine by Steam
Travels Around Ukraine by Steam
A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Michael Smyth. Pictures from three trips to the Ukraine in 1993, 1999 and 2002. These illustrate Russian designed steam locomotives at…
0 events,
1 event,
Inside Story - The Railway Observer: Building a Society Magazine
Inside Story - The Railway Observer: Building a Society Magazine
If you have ever wondered how every month the RO gets from raw information to your doorstep, Mike Robinson, Managing Editor of The Railway Observer, will be describing in this…
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Members' area
The latest edition of The Railway Observer, plus back copies from 2012
Details of benefits available to RCTS members
The directory of Society officers
Officers' administration tools
RCTS-branded clothing sales
Membership renewals for 2024 [opens November 2023]
Branches
The Society has a national network of 28 branches. Each branch has its own committee and operates its own programme of events. Members are assigned to a home branch but are welcome to take part in other branches' activities.
Guests are always welcome.
Features
The Society has several online information services maintained by our dedicated and knowledgeable members. The various features are regularly updated, and we welcome contributions from members and non-members alike.
Each feature has a editor. Click the images to explore.
Diesel Dilemmas
Mysteries and anomalies in the modification and disposal history of British Railways diesel locomotives.
Carriage Conundrums
Mysteries and anomalies in the modification and disposal history of British Railways locomotive hauled coaching stock.
Preserved Coaches
Additions, deletions, movements and modifications to lists of preserved railway rolling stock, regularly updated.
Haulage Highlights
Seasonal services, relief trains, special events and unusual routes, mostly with diesel traction.
Query Corner
Written queries and answers are published here and in The Railway Observer
“Our” Locos
A number of locomotives have proudly carried The Railway Observer nameplate or been associated with the Society. No, we don't own these locomotives, but they are thought of as "ours".
TOPS Reference Data
The Society maintains several datasets of TOPS data for Cl.01/5, Cl.89, Cl.97 and Cl.98 Locomotives, Depot Codes and Locomotive Pool Codes, all of which are regularly updated.
NEW - John Knight's Database of Railway Photography
John Knight is a picture researcher. His database of southern and western England records details of 172,000 images published in 6,500 books.
This RCTS Feature initially opens on an interactive map. When you zoom in, each yellow dot represents a camera location. The background can be changed between contemporary maps, satellite images, and historical Ordnance Survey maps - including the detailed 1:10,560 Series. The dot has a reference number for subsequent searches. Please allow a few seconds for the map to load fully.
There are several other tabs alongside the map. One is the User Guide which explains what data is available and how to undertake searches.
Other tabs are lists of books, authors, photographers, railway companies, locomotive classes, and the like. All are searchable.
NB. The database is an index only. For copyright reasons, the photographs are not reproduced, but there are live links to where each book is currently available to purchase. Usually these are second-hand booksellers.
The RCTS Digital Archive
Photographs
Over 57,000 images are available to purchase as prints or as digital downloads.
The archive also includes many thousands of non-RCTS copyright images. They are available for people to view only online for their personal researches. Users must register (i.e. obtain a Readers' Card) and sign in to gain access.
Publications
A complete collection of the Society's magazine The Railway Observer is available to read online and to purchase as PDF downloads. 1928-2011 is publicly available from the archive; 2012 onwards restricted via the Members' Area.
Many of the Society's publications are available on a similar basis, including definitive series such as Locomotives of the LNER, Locomotives of the GWR, and Locomotives of the Southern. Also locomotive and coaching stock books.
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.
RCTS members are advised to use the Shop pages in the Member's Area to gain access to exclusive products and special discounts.
Shipping is charged on the whole order. There is a flat rate of £4 for UK addresses, or 40% of the order value for non-UK address, 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.
Second-hand books are sold by the Library. The list of books available is updated regularly, and is not limited to RCTS publications.
RCTS Publications
RCTS has been a renowned publisher of definitive books on locomotives and other railway subjects since 1935. The books are available online and trade enquiries are welcome. Many are now out of print but you can find a bibliography of all books by following More about RCTS Publications below.
Become an author? Click the button to find out more.
New printing technology means that it has become economic to republish some of the back catalogue, a process that is underway. If you cannot wait, copies are available to view at the Society's library at Leatherhead and second-hand copies may be available to purchase from there.
Featured publications
Categories
Locomotives of the LNER
The definitive series - originally published in 19 parts 1963-1994 - is now available again, in eight volumes.
- Book orders are fulfilled globally by Amazon. The links below point to the Amazon UK shop. 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/
Volume 1
Cover: Hardback
Price: £18
Volume 1
Cover: Softback
Price: £12
Volume 2
Cover: Softback
Price: £24
Volume 3
Cover: Softback
Price: £21
Volume 4&5
Cover: Softback
Price: £24
Volume 6
Cover: Softback
Price: £24
Volume 7&8
Cover: Softback
Price: £18
Volume 9
Cover: Softback
Price: £18
Volume 10
Cover: Softback
Price: £18