Informative branch meetings
JOHN CASHEN writes the first in a series of articles to introduce the benefits of RCTS membership, as the organisation celebrates its 90th birthday
THIS year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the RCTS (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society) in Cheltenham, its purpose being to encourage railway enthusiasm and to record current events on the railway.
Today it is still achieving its original aims and has become the primary national rail enthusiasts’ society in this country, with more than 2,000 members.
Although associated with many specials at the end of the steam era, the society keeps up-todate and puts an emphasis on recording the numerous changes occurring on Britain’s railway today. It informs members of these through its monthly publication The Railway Observer (known as the RO by many), which appeals to enthusiasts of all age groups.
Membership of the Society includes a subscription for the RO (either electronic or printed versions), which is completely produced by volunteer effort. Its 72 pages each month record the happenings on the railway, changes to the infrastructure and stock, articles on railways (British and foreign), publication reviews, nostalgia corner and a review of branch events.
The Society has 30 branches nationwide, with meetings held in Ashford, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Carnforth, Cheltenham, Chester, Chichester, Coventry, Croydon, Darlington, Didcot, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Exeter, Hitchin, Hull, Ipswich, Liverpool, Maidenhead, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Northampton, Nottingham, Peterborough, Preston, Radyr, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Shenfield, Shipley, Watford, Welwyn Garden City, Woking and York.
These meetings provide entertaining and informative presentations on railway subjects, ranging from foreign journeys to current operations and developments, the showing of historic photographs (both steam and later traction), and talks on railways in certain geographical locations. Some branches arrange visits to various preservation sites, hold station observation days, and visit railway installations.
Branch events provide opportunities to meet with fellow members and to enhance one’s enjoyment of a common interest. Members are able to attend at any branch’s meetings or outdoor fixtures.
The RCTS is renowned for its publication of books, and members are entitled to a substantial discount on these publications - the latest book on the LMS Pacifics has received critical acclaim for its content and presentation. Most branches also sell second-hand books at their meetings.
There is an extensive photographic archive held by the Society, with more than 60,000 images available for purchase from the Society’s website at rcts.org.uk. Very shortly the RCTS will be setting up a national archive in the Old Station Master’s house at Leatherhead station. This is to enable a host of stored historical publications, photographic material and other items to be made available for those interested in research, and so on.
I am one of the Regional Editors of the RO. My area covers the Cambrian lines, North Wales, West Coast North (north of Crewe from the Pennines in the east to the west coast) and the Settle-Carlisle route as far as Hellifield.
All the Regional Editors rely on the receipt of sighting contributions from members within their areas, to produce a digest of what has happened in the past month across the country. This is where members can make a vital contribution to the magazine and the Society.
The Society is particularly active in the North West with meetings at four locations.
The subject of these meetings can include: reminiscences of various periods going back to the days when nationalisation commenced; foreign subjects from all regions of the world; visits by officials from various organisations (which could be dealing with the latest/future developments within a franchise); or details of the building of something like a new manufacturing/maintenance facility or of a major project on the railway system. Some branches have a members’ photographic evening or even a quiz.
Branches attempt to give a varied programme for each indoor meeting season. Additionally, the Merseyside, Chester & North Wales Branch is particularly active with regards to outdoor fixtures. The North West area indoor meetings (all of which are illustrated) for the remainder of 2018 are:
Merseyside, Chester & North Wales Branch Chester
Indoor meetings are held from 1930 on the third Monday of a month at The Town Crier, City Road, Chester CH1 3AE (opposite the station).
September 17: James Sutcliffe - Railways of London & the South East. October 15: Dave Southern - Rails to Bala.
November 19: Stephen Gay - Through Kirton Tunnel (a photographic journey along the Sheffield to Cleethorpes line).
December 17: Tony Griffiths - The Fate of The Irish Mail (a film which relates the story of the Abergele disaster in 1868).
Liverpool
Indoor meetings are held from 1330 on the first Wednesday of alternate months at Haig House Social Club, Woolton Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 5NQ (adjacent South Parkway station).
October 3: Paul Wright - Liverpool Exchange (an illustrated talk looking at the station from its inception to closure).
December 5: Tom Heavyside - BR in the North West.
The Branch also holds outdoor fixtures on the second Tuesday of each month. Forthcoming visits are to the Mid-Hants Railway, a tour of West Midlands lines, and observations at Leamington, Doncaster and Stafford using rail travel throughout.
Lancashire & North West Branch Preston
Indoor meetings are held from 1930 on the last Friday of a month at Fulwood Lawn Tennis Club, Highgate Avenue (off A6 Garstang Road), Preston PR2 8DY.
October 26: Jason Cross - Capturing the Present and Re-creating the Past. November 30: Members’ Slides. January 4 2019: John Sloane - Steam Era Images from Bill Ashcroft’s Collection.
Furness, Lakes & Lune Branch Carnforth
Indoor meetings are held from 1930 on the first Friday of a month at The Station Hotel, Carnforth LA5 9BT. October 5: Steve Fort - Transition from Steam to Diesel. November 2: Noel Machell - Locomotive Depots Around the British Isles, 1957-1968. December 7: Members’ Slides.
Other branches will have similar programmes. Meetings usually last two to twoand-a-half hours. If you are interested in attending any of these or other meetings, or joining one of the outdoor fixtures, details can be found at www.rcts.org.uk. You will be made very welcome, but please do not correspond with any of the branch’s meeting venues.