'National Railway Societies'
Meetings and Events for
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Q1 2025: January to March 2025
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- Branch Line Society
- Historical Model Railway Society
- Inter City Railway Society
- Locomotive Club of Great Britain
- Railfuture
- Railway & Canal Historical Society
- Stephenson Locomotive Society
For Railway Correspondence and Travel Society go to www.rcts.org.uk/#news and scroll down
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Note this calendar is based on information provided as at 1 January 2025. As full details of meetings are not always published a full quarter in advance, up-dates to this calendar do occur periodically through the quarter.
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BRANCH LINE SOCIETY has the following events:
Saturday 4 January
Event: Tour
‘Scunthorpe Cold Steeler No.29’
See an operating integrated steel works and 24-hour industrial railway at close quarters set in 2,800 acres. It’s a 9.30 start from the AFRPS platform; due to finish about 4.30pm. An extensive full day railtour.
Friday 17 January
Event: Tour
‘Waterloo station subterranean guided tour’
Descend below platform level to undertake an exploration of some of the fascinating and rambling subways, tunnels and basement rooms. This will be an evening tour starting at approximately 5pm. Allow at least 90 minutes for this tour.
Sunday 26 January
Event: Tour
‘The Fleetwood Flexity’
A visit to Blackpool Tramway for an 'all available lines' tour with a balloon double-deck tram. 10am start at North Pier Heritage stop, finishing around 5.30pm. A suitable lunch break is included at Fleetwood.
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February
Event: Tour
‘Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway - Brake Van Bonanza’
Details to be provided shortly
Friday 7 February
Event: Tour
‘North Norfolk Railway’
An 'all available lines' charter, exploring the North Norfolk Railway using their Class 08 08772. Passengers will be accommodated in the Wisbech coach and an LMS brake van. Commencing at Sheringham at 09:35 (convenient for the Greater Anglia service), journey down the 5.25 mile branch line covering such track delights as Bridge Road Carriage Shed and Weybourne sheds. As with our previous visits to the North Norfolk Railway, a fully comprehensive visit is expected thanks to the excellent volunteers at the railway. It is anticipated the fixture will be concluded no later than 16:30 (again convenient for GA services).
Sunday 16 February
Event: Tour
‘The Tyne and Wear Metro’
No further details are available at present
Sunday 23 February
Event: Tour
‘The Boaty McBoatface III’
Near Guide Bridge station is the Ashton Moss Boat Company with its 2ft gauge working industrial railway. By special arrangement, BLS will repeat its visit from July 2021 to cover as much track as safely possible.
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March
Event: Tour
‘BWC Three’
Exploring Scotland's nature and scenery. A charity charter, operated by GB Railfreight, will feature Class 37 37403 'Isle of Mull' throughout, with huge thanks to the SRPS Diesel Group. A Class 37/4 will assist, supplied by our good friends at Locomotive Services Limited. There will be a combination of top 'n tail and double-headed working. In response to customer requests, both First Class and Standard Class accommodation will be available on BWC 3.
Day 1: Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway to Inverness
Day 2: Inverness to Wick and Inverness
Day 3: Inverness to Aberdeen to Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
Friday 28 March
Event: Tour
‘Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Anything Goes Event’
A rare track 'all available lines' DMU charter, exploring the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway using their Class 110 2-car DMU, which is ideal for negotiating hard to reach infrastructure. We expect to scratch a significant amount of track which has not been covered previously, including covering to the buffer stops beyond the west tunnel at Haverthwaite. After a lunch break, participants will transfer to brake vans to comprehensively cover the yard and workshop area, operating top 'n tail with Class 03s D2072 and D2117. The Class 03s very rarely operate passenger trains.
HISTORICAL MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY has the following events:
Thursday 9 January
Sussex Area Group: Film
‘A Railway Film Show’
Presented by Keith Carter
Venue: London Road Station, Shaftesbury Place, Brighton
Starts 8.10pm
Saturday 25 January
Bristol Area Group
Zoom session. Details to follow on website.
Starts 2.30pm
Thursday 13 February
Sussex Area Group: Talk
‘Talk on Templot and trackwork design’
Presented by Steve Cornford
Venue: London Road Station, Shaftesbury Place, Brighton
Starts 8.10pm
Saturday 22 February
Bristol Area Group
Zoom session. Details to follow on website.
Starts 2.30pm
Thursday 13 March
Sussex Area Group: Talk
‘An Illustrated talk using Photographs from the Frank Foote Collection, LSWR based, 1923 onwards’
Presented by Mike King
Venue: London Road Station, Shaftesbury Place, Brighton
Starts 8.10pm
Saturday 29 March
Bristol Area Group
Details to follow, Venue Saltford
Starts 2.30pm
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Bletchley and Essex Area Groups: No meeting yet advertised
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INTER CITY RAILWAY SOCIETY has the following events:
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Saturday 18 January
Trip: Visit to FL Crewe Basford Hall Yard
One hour trip around Basford Hall Yard. Cost £15.
Starts at 1pm from the main security gate 100m from Gresty Road. Hi-viz jacket/ vest required
Saturday 29 March
Trip: Visit to Wishaw (Goodmans Yard)
Meet at Yard. Cost £5 donation.
Starts 10am. Hi-viz jacket/ vest required.
Saturday 29 March
Annual General Meeting and event at Chasewater Railway
Start late morning after Wishaw visit, consisting of a behind the scenes look into the sheds and the yard at Brownhills West. AGM to follow with light refreshment
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LOCOMOTIVE CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN has the following events:
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Tuesday 7 January
LCGB (Bedford branch)
‘The Bedford – Cambridge Line’
Presented by Stephen Owen
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 7 January
LCGB (North West branch)
‘The LCGB at the Red Lion’. Members' and visitors' digital photographs
Venue: The Red Lion Hotel, 9 Ash Brow (A5209), Newburgh, WN8 7NF
Start time 7.30pm
Thursday 9 January
LCGB (St. Albans branch)
‘Bricket Wood Station Restoration Project (David Horton)’
‘The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (Sandy Walkington)’
Venue: St Bartholomew's Church, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PE
Start time 7.30pm.
Saturday 11 January
LCGB ‘Club 75th Annual Reunion 2025’
Venue: Gascoigne Suite at Union Jack Club, London SE1 8UJ
Times: 10am to 5pm
Includes:
11:00 Introduction to the event by Cedric Spiller, Club Chairman, followed by presentation on Pre-War Streamlined Services, including Mallard’s World Record Run, by Chris Nettleton, Chair of the Gresley Society.
14:20 Review of Club Overseas Tours held in 2024, including India, Bangladesh, Hungary, and IGE tours in Germany, followed by a preview of tours proposed for 2025.
15:40 Presentation telling the story of the LCGB, including a review of the Club and its support for our wonderful hobby, featuring images by Charles Firminger
Tuesday 14 January
LCGB (North London branch)
‘Harold Clements Collection Part 4’
Presented by Bryan Cross
Venue: The Parish Room, St Michaels Church, Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HE
Start time 2pm.
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Tuesday 14 January
LCGB (Dorking branch)
50 years ago - Chasing steam in Yugoslavia, Austria and Italy
Presented by Donald Wilson
Venue: Dorking Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking, RH4 2LE.
Start time 2pm.
Friday 17 January
LCGB (Central London branch)
‘The Brighton Atlantic Project’
Presented by Steve Pilcher
Venue: Keen House (the Model Railway Club), 4, Calshot Street, London N1 9DA.
Start time 6.30pm.
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Tuesday 4 February
LCGB (Bedford branch)
‘British Rail a New History’
Presented by Christian Wolmar
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 4 February
LCGB (North West branch)
‘The LCGB at the Red Lion’. Members' and visitors' digital photographs
Venue: The Red Lion Hotel, 9 Ash Brow (A5209), Newburgh, WN8 7NF
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 11 February
LCGB (North London branch)
‘That Was the Year That Was 1965’
Presented by: Geoff Plumb
Venue: The Parish Room, St Michaels Church, Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HE
Start time 2pm.
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Tuesday 11 February
LCGB (Dorking branch): Talk
‘Interurbans of San Francisco’
Presented by Ian Gledhill
Venue: Dorking Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking, RH4 2LE.
Start time 2pm
Thursday 13 February
LCGB (St. Albans branch)
‘The Harold Clements Local Railway Collection’
Presented by Bryan Cross
Venue: St Bartholomew's Church, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PE
Start time 7.30pm.
Friday 21 February
LCGB (Central London branch)
‘71000 Duke of Gloucester’
Presented by Steve Wakeland
Venue: Keen House (the Model Railway Club), 4, Calshot Street, London N1 9DA.
Start time 6.30pm.
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Tuesday 4 March
LCGB (Bedford branch)
‘Stuart Underdown’s Southern Memories’
Presented by Jeremy Harrison
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 4 March
LCGB (North West branch)
‘The LCGB at the Red Lion’. Members' and visitors' digital photographs
Venue: The Red Lion Hotel, 9 Ash Brow (A5209), Newburgh, WN8 7NF
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 11 March
LCGB (North London branch)
Topic to be advised
Presented by: Robin Patrick
Venue: The Parish Room, St Michaels Church, Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HE
Start time 2pm.
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Wednesday 11 March
LCGB (Dorking branch): Talk
‘Reading to Victoria via Dover’
Presented by Peter Jones
Venue: Dorking Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking, RH4 2LE.
Start time 2pm.
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Thursday 13 March
LCGB (St. Albans branch)
TBA
Presented by:
Venue: St Bartholomew's Church, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PE
Start time 7.30pm.
Friday 21 March
LCGB (Central London branch)
The 'Western' Diesel Hydraulic Story
Presented by Paul Bamber and Peter Finch
Venue: Keen House (the Model Railway Club), 4, Calshot Street, London N1 9DA.
Start time 6.30pm.
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RAILFUTURE has the following meetings:
Thursday 9 January
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Sussex & Coastway Division)
Event: Division festive season social
Venue: Intended to be John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, off Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AN
Starts 6pm.
Wednesday 15 January
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Eastern Division)
Event: Division Meeting (Online)
Starts 7pm
Thursday 16 January
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (London Metro Division)
Event: Division Meeting
Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, Front Basement Meeting Room, 75 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EL
Starts 7pm.
Tuesday 21 January
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Herts & Beds Division)
Event: Division Meeting
Venue: Thameslink / Great Northern, East Side Office, King's Cross Station, Central London
Starts 11am
Wednesday 22 January
Branch: Yorkshire
Event: Open Meeting (Online)
Guest speaker: Ben Simkin, CrossCountry Trains.
Starts 10am
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Saturday 25/ Sunday 26 January
Railfuture London & South East regional branch Kent Division stall at annual Erith Model Railway Show. Venue: Harris Garrard Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Kent, DA18 4DW
Saturday 8 February
Branch: North West regional branch
Event: Regional branch AGM
Venue: Holiday Inn, 85 Talbot Road, Blackpool FY1 1LL
Starts 12 noon
Saturday 15 February
Branch / Division: Railfuture London & South East regional branch (Kent Division)
On line meeting
Starts 2pm
Saturday 22 February
Branch: East Anglia
Event: East Anglia Open branch meeting
Venue: Friends Meeting House, St. John’s Street, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SJ
Starts 2pm
Monday 1 March
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Herts & Beds Division)
Event: Division Meeting
Venue: GTR's offices, Kings Cross
Starts 11am
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Wednesday 12 March
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Eastern Division)
Event: Division Meeting (Online)
Starts 7pm.
Saturday 15 March
Branch: Lincolnshire
Event: Lincolnshire branch AGM. Further details to follow
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch
Railfuture L&SE regional branch stall at London Festival of Railway Modelling.
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY.
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Thursday 20 March
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (London Metro Division)
Event: Division Meeting
Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, Front Basement Meeting Room, 75 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EL
Starts 7pm
RAILWAY & CANAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY has the following events:
Friday 3 January
East Midlands Group: Lecture
‘What's in the Signal Box? A Look at the Equipment and How it Works’
Presented by Ian Mitchell
Venue: Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EH.
Time: 2pm
Saturday 4 January
North East Group: Lecture
‘The story of the Viola - from Beverley to South Georgia’
Presented by Norman Court
Venue: Marriott Room of the York Explore Library, Museum Street, York, YO1 7DS
Time: 2.15pm to 4pm
Thursday 9 January
East Midlands Group: ‘East Midlands Group Annual Bus Tour’
A day out using service buses with the option of a short visit to the heritage site of the side-by-side stations at Clowne built by the Midland Railway (MR) and the LD&ECR (latterly Great Central).
Saturday 11 January
North West Group: Lecture
‘The History and Restoration of The Manchester & Stockport Canal’
Presented by Roger Bravey
Venue: 6 Mount Street, Manchester
Starts 2pm
Saturday 18 January
West Midlands Group: Lecture
Rotton Park Reservoir
Presented by Philip Wild
Venue: Birmingham & Midlands Institute, 3 Margaret Street, Birmingham.
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Monday 20 January
London Group: Lecture
‘From a schoolboy’s letter to one of Oxfordshire’s world class museums’
Presented by Ann Middleton
Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross Street (5 minutes walk from Farringdon Station) London EC1M 6EL
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Tuesday 28 January
London Group: New Year Members Lunch
Venue: The Station House, Acton (at Acton Central station).
Numbers limited to 20. Please contact Richard Lasson on lasson@blueyonder.co.uk to book a place. Deposit is not required.
Thursday 30 January
North West Group: Walk
‘The Fallowfield Loop Line (Fairfield-Fallowfield-Chorlton-cum-Hardy)’
Meet at Fairfield Station at 10:05 following the arrival of the 09:51 departure (Northern train to Rose Hill Marple). Return to Piccadilly (or central Manchester) will be by the Metro from St Werburgh’s Road tram stop or, for the shorter walk, by bus from Fallowfield. There are several options for early departures during the walk.
Saturday 1 February
North East Group: Zoom Presentation
‘The life of T.E. Harrison’
Presented by John Addyman
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Friday 7 February
East Midlands Group: Lecture
‘The Chesterfield Canal’
Presented by Rod Auton
Venue: Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EH.
Time: 2pm
Saturday 8 February
London Group: Walk
‘Kennet & Avon Canal Walk – Hungerford to Kintbury’
Meet outside Hungerford Station at 10:30 following the departure of the 09:33 from Reading that arrives Newbury at 09:54 to change train and pick-up the 10:11 service to Bedwyn that arrives at Hungerford at 10:22 to walk down to the start at Hungerford Lock & Wharf (74). A day return ticket Reading to Hungerford is £7.70 with a Senior Railcard.
Saturday 8 February
North West Group: AGM
NW Group AGM and Members Miscellany
Venue: 6 Mount Street, Manchester
Starts 2pm
Saturday 15 February
West Midlands Group:
‘Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway’
Presented by John Martin
Venue: Birmingham & Midlands Institute, 3 Margaret Street, Birmingham.
Time: 2pm to 4pm
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Tuesday 25 February
South West Group: Lecture
‘The First Railway in Dorset - Fayle's Tramway’
Presented by Richard Heacock
Venue: Masonic Hall, 99 Bath Road, Keynsham
Starts 6pm
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Saturday 1 March
North East Group: Regional Group AGM
Venue: Marriott Room of the York Explore Library, Museum Street, York, YO1 7DS
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Friday 7 March
East Midlands Group: Lecture
‘A Black Country Steam Steam Photographer’
Presented by Keith Hodgkins
Venue: Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EH.
Time: 2pm
Saturday 8 March
North West Group: Lecture
‘Women Railway Workers in World War II’
Presented by Susan Major
Venue: 6 Mount Street, Manchester
Tuesday 11 March
London Group: Walk
‘The Croydon Train/Tram System from BR to Tramlink (Part 1)’
Meet at London Bridge station catching train on former ‘Mid-Kent Line’ to Elmers End station, former junction to both Selsdon and Addiscombe stations. These lines had been within the South Eastern Railway orbit before being absorbed in its wider ambitions to link new territory (ultimately in Sussex) to its network, in opposition to the LBSCR. The lines south of Elmers End were closed in sections between 1983 and 1997, final closure of the Addiscombe branch in anticipation of the opening of Tramlink in 2000. Starting at London Bridge, we will take a Hayes train to Elmers End station (zone 4), where we will connect into Tramlink. We will explore the Addiscombe branch by foot, before retaking Tramlink to Lloyd Park (through the Sandilands tunnels) and then walk near to the closed (and inaccessible) track bed to Spencer Road and Selsdon stations, before a short walk to South Croydon station (zone 5) for rail connections back to London terminals, or Tramlink from East Croydon to Beckenham Junction.
Thursday 13 March
East Midlands Group: Walk
‘The Melton Navigation (Part 2)_: Frisby-on-the-Weake to Thrussington’
This walk following the Melton Navigation from Frisby-on-the-Weake to Thrussington will be led by Sally Bramson. Further details will be included in Bulletin 513 (January 2025)
Saturday 15 March
West Midlands Group: Lecture
‘WM group March indoor meeting’
Presented by David Brown
Venue: Birmingham & Midlands Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BS.
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Monday 17 March
London Group: Lecture
‘Oxford as a Railway Centre’
Presented by Laurence Waters
Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross Street (5 minutes walk from Farringdon Station) London EC1M 6EL
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
STEPHENSON LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY has the following events:
Wednesday 8 January
SLS (South Lakes Centre)
‘Furness Railway Adventure’
Presented by Paul Salveson
Venue: Main Hall, Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowker's Lane, KENDAL. LA9 4DN
Starts 7.15pm
Thursday 9 January
SLS (Newcastle Centre)
‘Deltics on Parade - Photographs of English Electric's finest between Kings Cross and Berwick’
Presented by Trevor Ermel
Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle.
Start time, 1.30pm.
Saturday 11 January
SLS (Midlands, Kidderminster Centre)
‘Were two Great Western Railway locomotives the same?’
Presented by Gerry Nichols (SLS Librarian)
Venue: Kidderminster Railway Museum, Kidderminster DY10 1QX
Start time, 2pm.
Saturday 18 January
SLS (Manchester Centre)
‘Carriage Cleaners: Hidden from History’
Presented by Julia Winterson
Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Starts 2pm
Tuesday 21 January
SLS (Teeside Centre)
‘Beamish Transport and Restoration’
Presented by Paul Jarman
Venue: Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TF.
Start time is 2pm
Friday 7 February
SLS (Teeside Centre - Middlesbrough)
‘Great Central Reunification’
Presented by Tom Ingall
Venue: Newport Community, Hub, Union Street, Middlesbrough.
Start time 7pm.
Saturday 8 February
SLS (Midlands, Kidderminster Centre): AGM
‘Centre AGM and Members Presentations’
Venue: Kidderminster Railway Museum, Kidderminster DY10 1QX
Start time, 2pm.
Wednesday 12 February
SLS (South Lakes Centre)
‘Lanky on the Long Drag’
Presented by David Bousfield
Venue: Main Hall, Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowker's Lane, KENDAL. LA9 4DN
Starts 7.15pm
Friday 14 February
SLS (Newcastle Centre): AGM
‘Centre AGM and Members Evening’
Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle.
Start time, 7pm.
Saturday 15 February
SLS (Manchester Centre)
‘Flying Scotsman in America: a family affair and a coming of age’
Presented by Dr Richard Hinchcliffe
Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Starts 2pm
Tuesday 18 February
SLS (Teeside Centre - Coulby Newham)
‘BR in Transition 1957 to 1975’
Presented by John Clayson
Venue: Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TF
Start time is 2pm.
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Friday 7 March
SLS (Teeside Centre - Coulby Newham): Talk and Centre AGM
‘Missed Locos & Lost Locations' - followed by Centre AGM
Presented by Ted Parker
Venue: Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TF
Start time is 2pm.
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Saturday 8 March
SLS (Midlands, Kidderminster Centre)
‘Navigation Road and all that - colour slides from the late Bill Buckley collection in late 60s and early 70s in the South Manchester Area’
Presented by Ted Buckley (SLS General Secretary)
Venue: Kidderminster Railway Museum, Kidderminster DY10 1QX
Start time, 2pm.
Wednesday 12 March
South Lakes Centre, Kendal
‘Sugar Cane Railways’
Presented by Martin Elson
Venue: Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowker's Lane, Kendal LA9 4DN.
Starts 7.30pm
Friday 14 March
SLS (Newcastle Centre)
‘Steam in and around Darlington with a quick look at Newcastle and Gateshead’
Presented by Chris Nettleton
Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle.
Start time, 7pm.
Saturday 15 March
SLS (Manchester Centre)
‘The Highland Railway’
Presented by Bill Jagger
Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Starts 2pm
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Tuesday 18 March
SLS (Teeside Centre - Coulby Newham): Talk and Centre AGM
‘Missed Locos & Lost Locations' - followed by Centre AGM
Presented by Ted Parker
Venue: Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TF
Start time is 2pm.
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