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
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
Photographic competition
The RCTS and Morton's Media Group are pleased to announce a joint photographic competition. We are inviting the nation's railway photographers to submit digital images taken since January 2022 in any or all of four categories. Closing date 31st March 2024.
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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COP26 and the RCTS
RCTS member David Cross was involved with a three-day event at Mossend, timed to coincide with COP26 in nearby Glasgow. The event was showcasing alternative lower-carbon locomotive fuels, and was…
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National meeting 30 Sep 21
Presenter: Derek Huntriss One of the legendary “Master Neverers“, who produced outstanding photographs of British Railways Steam in its last decade, Derek Huntriss is an excellent photographer with many years’…
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RCTS News 21 Sep 21
A monthly newsletter is sent to all members (that supply an email address) to coincide with publication online of the Railway Observer. The September 2021 edition can be viewed here. …
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New pictorial album published
Michael Mensing was one of the most prolific railway photographers from the mid-1950s onwards. He had several books published and his photographs appeared widely in magazines. Following his death in…
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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
Steam in Southern Africa Through 26 Years
BTL North Filton St Teresa’s Church Hall, 71 Gloucester Road, North FiltonLong time branch member Roger Griffiths presents images of Steam Trains taken on numerous visits to South Africa.
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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1 event,
The Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery
Ian Boskett visits to tell the story of the most famous crime to occur on the railways, in this sixtieth anniversary year. Please note that this presentation will be in…
3 events,
An A-Z of Switzerland
An A-Z of Switzerland
A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation Presenter: Steve Ollive In the second of three parts describing the Railways of Switzerland, Steve will cover the railways from D to…
1 event,
Refurbishment of the old Railway Bridges at Rail Corridor Singapore [Commonwealth Heritage Forum event]
Refurbishment of the old Railway Bridges at Rail Corridor Singapore [Commonwealth Heritage Forum event]
Wednesday 29 November, 1pm GMT, Wong Kia Fu: ‘Refurbishment of the old Railway Bridges at Rail Corridor Singapore', chaired by Kelvin Ang In 2011, the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line…
1 event,
Narrow Gauge in the British Isles
Narrow Gauge in the British Isles
James Waite is well known as an enthusiast for narrow gauge railways, and has explored them all around the world, but tonight he is staying close to home, and confining…
1 event,
Steam in Southern Africa Through 26 Years
Steam in Southern Africa Through 26 Years
Long time branch member Roger Griffiths presents images of Steam Trains taken on numerous visits to South Africa.
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2 events,
‘Members’ Presentations’, plus Lizzie’s Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls!
‘Members’ Presentations’, plus Lizzie’s Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls!
Another chance for Watford Branch members to show off your prowess with a camera (but don’t worry about the quality, feel the width!) – stills or videos, film or digital.…
SCT Glasgow Suburban Electrification
SCT Glasgow Suburban Electrification
Glasgow Suburban Electrification The talk describes the origins of Glasgow’s ’Blue Trains’. The scale and complexity of the project(s) will be described, including initial teething problems causing total withdrawal of…
3 events,
Leeds Engines of Empire [Commonwealth Heritage Forum event]
Leeds Engines of Empire [Commonwealth Heritage Forum event]
Wednesday 6 December, 6pm GMT: John McGoldrick, ‘Leeds Engines of Empire’, chaired by Rowenna Malone The city of Leeds is perhaps not as well-known as it should be as an industrial…
agm and quiz for the machell trophy
agm and quiz for the machell trophy
our annual agm (brief) will be followed by the stephen machell trophy quiz
1 event,
Milton Keynes Branch Annual General Meeting
Milton Keynes Branch Annual General Meeting
AGM and member’s presentations. Further details to be confirmed nearer to the date.
0 events,
2 events,
RCTS West of England Branch Meeting Hydraulic Delights by Steve Crowther
RCTS West of England Branch Meeting Hydraulic Delights by Steve Crowther
West of England Branch December Meeting will feature Steve Crowther who will be entertaining us with a miscellany of Hydraulic Delights, from his extensive collection of images.
0 events,
2 events,
Wrexham & Shropshire – a Photographic Retrospective
Wrexham & Shropshire – a Photographic Retrospective
Geoff Plumb gives us a comprehensive look at this short-lived open access operator which nevertheless made a great impact in terms of quality travel. Photographic coverage, with privileged access, from…
6 events,
Stuart Underdown’s Southern Memories
Stuart Underdown’s Southern Memories
The late Stuart Underdown was a Society member and an accomplished photographer, who put together a number of presentations, including this one, of his 'Southern Memories', of his own photographs…
Sheffield Branch Christmas Social
Sheffield Branch Christmas Social
plus more 'Railway Snaps’ from Jim Bryant, followed by a quiz (just for fun).
3 events,
Da train fo Bo …. [Commonwealth Heritage Forum event]
Da train fo Bo …. [Commonwealth Heritage Forum event]
Wednesday 13 December, 6pm GMT: Helen Ashby and Colonel Steve Davies, ‘Da train fo Bo ….’, chaired by Isatu Smith Helen was Head of Knowledge and Collections at the National Railway Museum…
Rail Freight in Great Britain Today
Rail Freight in Great Britain Today
Rail Freight Group Director Maggie Simpson presents an update an overview of the situation regarding rail freight. In addition, she will present the prizes from there Branch's photographic competition.
Railways of Col Holman Stephens
Railways of Col Holman Stephens
Colonel Stephens and the economical railway While the ‘Colonel Stephens Railways’ have gained a reputation for being somewhat esoteric, down at heel and decrepit, this caricature is perhaps a bit…
2 events,
1 event,
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Branch Annual General Meeting
Branch Annual General Meeting
Our annual review of the year that has passed, and a look at what is to come in the new year. Join us to have your say, or offer to…
World Travels: from Cambodia to Argentina via Alaska and Morocco
World Travels: from Cambodia to Argentina via Alaska and Morocco
Our own Iain Scotchman will tell us about his 2023 travels The AGM and Members slides previously scheduled for this meeting, will now be held on 18th March 2024 and…
2 events,
Industrial Action
Industrial Action
A Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation. This is a change from the previously advertised presentation. Presenter: Geoff Plumb. In the presentation Geoff will take a look at some…
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Railways following Branch AGM
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Railways following Branch AGM
In November 2022 Stuart Hicks and other railway enthusiasts made a maiden visit to the railways of Saudi Arabia, not long after the country had started welcoming tourists. His trip…
2 events,
2 events,
Great Western, The Hawksworth Years 1941-1947
Great Western, The Hawksworth Years 1941-1947
Frederick Hawksworth became the last CME for the Great Western Railway, taking up the reins in 1941. Although he had only a relatively short period 'in the chair', he contributed…
Film Evening
Film Evening
Film Evening The evening will commence with the Branch AGM and our popular Christmas buffet followed by a presentation, subject to be confirmed.
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December 2023 National Zoom Meeting
December 2023 National Zoom Meeting
Currently being arranged: at present just a date for your diary, details will be added when available.
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0 events,
0 events,
Narrow Gauge in the British Isles
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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.
Photographic archive
Over 50,000 images are available to purchase as prints or as digital downloads.
Purchases are managed by our service provider, Zenfolio.
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