'National Railway Societies'
Meetings and Events for Q4 2025
October to December 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 28 September 2025. As full details of meetings are not always published a full quarter in advance, up-dates to this calendar will occur periodically. Note Societies often change their events, often on little notice.
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BRANCH LINE SOCIETY has the following events:
Saturday 4 October 2025
‘Runcorn Bridge tour’
A rare chance to visit a unique part of Runcorn Bridge, to walk the former pedestrian footbridge from the West Bank side, that closed to the public in 1965.
Monday 6 October 2025
‘London Railway Architecture Roundabout day tour’
This is a service train and walking tour to visit some great examples of railway architecture in the London area including a few more transport curiosities.
Friday 10 October 2025
‘The Great Bitton’
An unrepeatable opportunity to travel over sections of the Avon Valley Railway (AVR) not otherwise available to passengers and subject to imminent change with remodelling of Bitton Yard
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October 2025
‘To the Birthplace and the Backbone’
In partnership with Alstom, RailAdventure and 125 Group, the Branch Line Society offer this amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel in style to the Polmadie open day - Polmadie 150 - in Scotland.
Tuesday 14 October 2025
‘Talyllyn Pendre Depot visit & Corris Explorer with Gravity Train’
This is a rare chance to visit Pendre depot early at the start of service. We will then transfer by car to the Corris Railway with the aim of covering much of the available track by diesel traction.
Saturday 18 October 2025
‘The Sandhill Swooper’
A comprehensive tour of the 2ft gauge, 3¼ mile, Leighton Buzzard Railway.
Sunday 19 October 2025
‘The Apedale Explorers VI & VII’
A much-requested revisit to the complex 2ft gauge Apedale Valley Light Railway.
Sunday 26 October 2025
‘Ayton Castle Railway Visit’
Recently opened in September 2021, the Ayton Castle Railway is the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon exploring what the Railway and the grounds has to offer.
Monday 27 October 2025
‘The BLS Brecon Mountaineer’
An 'all available lines railtour' of the 4½ mile long, 1' 11¾" gauge, Brecon Mountain Railway.
Saturday 1 November 2025
‘Mainline charter to London’
A classic route for a class 50 to London for a special event at Paddington, with two depot track bashes included.
Friday 21 November 2025
‘AGM Day 1 Fixtures’
An exciting weekend of fixtures planned across the whole weekend, but we start off in the North East on Friday morning, and have a full day planned.
Saturday 22 November 2025
‘AV Dawson Shunter Special’
No further details are available at present.
Saturday 22 November 2025
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Society will hold its 2025 Annual General Meeting at AV Dawson, Middlesbrough. Members are invited to attend, express their views on the issues discussed, participate in any required elections, celebrate the Society's wide provision of unique railway infrastructure-related services and look forward to future opportunities.
Sunday 23 November 2025
‘Guided Railway Walk - Stockton & Darlington Railway Trackbed’
What better way to wrap up our 70th anniversary AGM weekend in the North East than to take a Sunday morning guided walk along the original route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway?
Saturday 29 November 2025
‘Great Central Railway (Loughborough)’
No further details are available at present.
Friday 19 December 2025
‘Christmas mainline charter’
A Christmas special from London to Durham and Newcastle with much sought after freight locomotives from the GBRf stable, and an early afternoon break in Newcastle for lunch, drinks or last minute Christmas shopping
HISTORICAL MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY has the following events:
Saturday 11 October
HMRS AGM
Zoom Meeting for Members - Details of access will be in Points along with reports and statement of accounts etc.
Saturday 25 October
Bristol Area Group: Talk
‘History of Railway Containers’
Presented by Keith Harcourt
Venue: Wansdyke Room, Saltford Hall, Wedmore Road, Saltford, BS31 3BY
Starts 2.30pm
Wednesday 29 October
Bletchley Area Group: Talk
‘The Corris Railway’
Presented by Chris Jones
Venue: Whaddon Way Church Centre, Beaverbrook Court, Whaddon Way, BLETCHLEY, MK3 7JS.
Starts 7.30pm
Saturday 22 November
Bristol Area Group
Zoom Meeting. For details and link contact the Area Organiser
Starts 2.30pm
Wednesday 26 November
Bletchley Area Group:
‘Show and Tell’ - an evening of discussion and viewing members’ current modelling and/or research.
Venue: Whaddon Way Church Centre, Beaverbrook Court, Whaddon Way, BLETCHLEY, MK3 7JS.
Starts 7.30pm
Saturday 20 December
Bristol Area Group
Zoom Meeting. For details and link contact the Area Organiser
Starts 2.30pm
Monday 29 December
Bletchley Area Group: Talk
Zoom Meeting: All things SR - bring your own photos to share
Starts 7.30pm
Other Area Groups yet to confirm
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INTER CITY RAILWAY SOCIETY
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Saturday 25 October
Event: Visit
‘East Lancs Railway’
Cost £15 payable on the day. Start 09.30, duration 3 hours. Meet 09.15 at Baron Street, parking sensibly whilst you wait for gates to be opened to Loco Works car park on left just past houses.
Saturday 15 November
Event: Visit
‘FL Crewe Basford Hall Yard’
Cost £15 payable on the day. The 1 hour trip around Basford Hall Yard starts at 13.00
LOCOMOTIVE CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN has the following presentations:
Tuesday 7 October
LCGB (Bedford branch): Talk
‘The MR Heads for Swansea Part 2: Brecon to Colbren Junction’
Presented by Chris Jones
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 7 October
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 October
LCGB (St. Albans branch): Branch AGM and Talk
‘The Railway Termini of Swansea’
Presented by Chris Jones
Venue: St Bartholomew's Church, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PE
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 14 October
LCGB (North London branch): Branch AGM and Talk
Branch AGM followed by a talk by Albert Etherington, Branch Liaison Officer
Venue: The Parish Room, St Michaels Church, Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HE
Start time 2pm.
Tuesday 14 October
LCGB (Dorking branch): Talk
‘The Midland route to Swansea’
Presented by Chris Jones
Venue: Dorking Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking, RH4 2LE.
Start time 7.30pm.
Friday 17 October
LCGB (Central London branch): Branch AGM and Talk
Branch AGM and Members' images.
Venue: Keen House (the Model Railway Club), 4, Calshot Street, London N1 9DA.
Start time 6.30pm.
Tuesday 21 October
LCGB (Bedford branch): Branch AGM and Talk
Annual General Meeting, followed by The Mid Norfolk Railway (MNR), a presentation about the MNR by Bert Etherington (MNR volunteer and LCGB Branch Leason Officer)
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 4 November
LCGB (Bedford branch): Talk
‘A Broad-Gauge Journey, Part 2’
Presented by Rev. Canon Brian Arman
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 4 November
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 November
LCGB (Dorking branch):
50th Anniversary Event (based on Question Time) with Guest Speakers
Venue: Dorking Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking, RH4 2LE.
Start time 7pm.
Tuesday 11 November
LCGB (North London branch): Talk
‘A tour of Northern Europe and beyond’
Presented by: Brian Garvin
Venue: The Parish Room, St Michaels Church, Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HE
Start time 2pm.
Thursday 13 November
LCGB (St. Albans branch): Branch AGM and Talk
To be announced
Venue: St Bartholomew's Church, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PE
Start time 7.30pm
Friday 21 November
LCGB (Central London branch)
‘The LCGB Study Tour to Japan 2023’
Presented by Richard Awde
Venue: Keen House (the Model Railway Club), 4, Calshot Street, London N1 9DA.
Start time 6.30pm.
Tuesday 2 December
LCGB (Bedford branch): Talk
Tracks in the Mist - Brill Branch (Wotton Tramway); Wantage Tramway; Swansea & Mumbles Railway; and Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway
Presented by Colin Brading
Venue: St John's Church Hall, St John’s Street, Bedford, MK42 0DL.
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 2 December
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 9 December
LCGB (North London branch): Talk
A Dive into my Archive, including Christmas Treats
Presented by: Tony Stratford
Venue: The Parish Room, St Michaels Church, Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HE
Start time 2pm.
Tuesday 9 December
LCGB (Dorking branch): Branch AGM
Branch AGM - with Christmas nibbles and cake followed by members’ presentations
Venue: Dorking Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking, RH4 2LE.
Start time 7.30pm.
Thursday 11 December
LCGB (St. Albans branch): Talk
‘Railway Photography: A Different Point of View’
Presented by Steve Sedgwick
Venue: St Bartholomew's Church, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PE
Start time 7.30pm
Tuesday 16 December
LCGB (Bedford branch): Christmas Food & Films
Food from the local chippy whilst enjoying our usual entertainment.
7:30pm - 10:00pm
Friday 19 December
LCGB (Central London branch)
‘The Great Indian Train Journey’
Presented by Colin Miell
Venue: Keen House (the Model Railway Club), 4, Calshot Street, London N1 9DA.
Start time 6.30pm.
RAILFUTURE has the following meetings:
Saturday 4 October
Branch: JOINT East Midlands/ Lincolnshire/ Yorkshire
Event: Speaker event
Guest speakers include: Carew Satchwell, Head of Rail Strategy, East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Venue: Rooms 6/7, 2nd floor, Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham NG1 7FH. Times: 12:30-15:50.
Wednesday 8 October
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Herts & Beds Division)
Event: Division Meeting, online
Starts 7.30pm
Thursday 9 October
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Sussex & Coastway Division)
Event: Division Meeting, online
Starts 6pm
Saturday 18 October
Branch: Severnside branch
Event: Meeting
Severnside members' meeting - non-members welcome.
Venue: The Railway Inn (next to Yatton station), 6 Station Road, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4AJ
Starts 2pm
Wednesday 4 November
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Herts & Beds Division)
Event: Division Meeting, online
Starts 7.30pm
Saturday 15 November
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Kent Division)
Event: Division Meeting
Starts 2pm.
Thursday 20 November
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.
Thursday 4 December
Branch / Division: London & South East regional branch (Sussex & Coastway Division)
Event: Division Meeting, online
Starts 6pm
Saturday 6 December
Branch: East Anglia
Event: East Anglia Open branch meeting
Venue: Signal Box Community Centre Emerald Building, Glenalmond Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 8BD.
Starts 2pm
RAILWAY & CANAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY has the following events:
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Friday 3 October
Regional Group: East Midlands
Event: Lecture
‘John Pinkerton & the Risks of Contracting in the Canal Age' (the 2025 Presidential Lecture)‘
Presented by Peter Cross-Rudkin
Venue: Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EH.
Time: 2pm
Saturday 4 October
Regional Group: North East
Event: Lecture
‘My Brush with Steam’
Presented by Colin Hatton
Venue: York Explore Library, Museum Street, York YO1 7DS
Time: 2pm
Thursday 9 October
Regional Group: North East
Event: Walk - Celebrating the Stockton & Darlington 200
Three short suburban walks, total distance about two to three miles. Meet at Eaglescliffe Station at 10:25 on arrival of the 9:39 train from York (please check). OS map Landranger 93. For those travelling by car, there is free parking at the nearby Preston Park Museum. From the station we walk to the museum via the southern extremity of the park, where we walk the original 1825 alignment of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. At the museum (group charge tba) we hope to hear a talk on the history of the S&DR, then view a new, special exhibition about the railway. Following lunch in the museum cafe we take a bus to view the S&DR Yarm branch ticket office and terminus, then call at The Cleveland Bay for refreshments and to view their displays which claim that this is the world’s first railway pub (1825). We next see the Leeds Northern Railway’s original Yarm Station (1852-1960) along with listed stationmaster’s house, and explore from beneath the superb 43-arch Yarm Viaduct of 1849 to view its recent major renovations and impressive commemorative plaque. Finally after viewing two further S&DR items in the town, we take the bus back to Eaglescliffe Station or Preston Park car park
Thursday 9 October
Regional Group: South West
Event: Zoom presentation
‘The Wilts and Berks Canal’
Presented by Dave Maloney
Starts 7pm
Saturday 11 October
Regional Group: West Midlands
Event: Walk - Birmingham changes and new Metro line
Meet at Birmingham Moor Street station at 11.00. The walk will commence at Birmingham Moor Street station where the station’s history will be investigated. We will then follow the first phase of the Eastside Metro extension to Millennium Point and Curzon Street where we will view what can be seen of the new HS2 viaducts before following the canal to Digbeth where further Metro lines have already been installed. From here we will study the GWR viaducts to Moor Street and Snow Hill (Brunel and later GWR viaduct) before returning to the City at Moor Street station.
Saturday 11 October
Regional Group: North West
Event: Lecture
'Railways into Chester'
Presented by Stewart Shuttleworth
Venue: 6 Mount Street, Manchester
Starts 2pm
Thursday 23 October
Regional Group: North West
Event: Walk - Lost Branches of the Ashton Canal, Part 2 (the Hollinwood Branch Canal)
A linear walk, following the Hollinwood Branch from its junction with the Ashton Canal to its terminus at Hollinwood, led by Barbara Holmes, John Woodcock and Roger Brice. The walk, of up to 6 miles, is rural with urban sections at the beginning and end. The walk may be left at the point where the possible restoration of the canal ends – a distance of 4.7 miles. Meet at Droylsden tram stop at 10:50, This is 8 stops from Piccadilly on the Eccles-Ashton line. Those boarding the tram at Piccadilly should arrive there by 10:00. Return to Manchester will be by bus (to Piccadilly Gardens) or by tram (to Manchester Victoria). Both buses (76 & 84) run at 10-12 minutes intervals. Journey times are typically 25-35 minutes.
Saturday 25 October
Regional Group: London
Event: Walk - Kennet and Avon Canal and Thames Path Circular
Meet outside Reading Station (winter.zeal.toned) at 10:30 to walk down to County Lock (106) on the Kennet and Avon Canal, we will then walk towards Kennet Mouth and the confluence with the river Thames and follow the Thames Path to Caversham Bridge. On the way we will visit the Reading Riverside Museum (entry free but a donation is requested) view the remaining canal-side industrial infrastructure and bridges before dropping off at The Griffin in Caversham for a post walk meal and drink. Followed by a short bus ride to return to Reading Central for our return journeys.
Monday 27 October
Regional Group: London
Event: AGM and Lecture
London Group AGM
Followed by Jim Connor speaking on ‘Lost Stations of North London’
Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EL
Starts 6.30pm
Saturday 1 November
Regional Group: North East
Event: Lecture
'The History and Development of the National Waterways Museum'
Presented by Cath Turpin
Venue: Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EH.
Time: 2pm
Saturday 8 November
Regional Group: North West
Event: Lecture
'Yorkshire Watermen'
Presented by David Scrimgeour
Venue: 6 Mount Street, Manchester
Starts 2pm
Saturday 15 November
Regional Group: South West
Event: Lecture
'L T C Rolt and the Railways'
Presented by Dr Victoria Owens
Venue: Brunel Institute Bristol
Time: 10.30 to noon
Saturday 15 November
Regional Group: West Midlands
Event: Lecture
The History of the West Midlands Group
Presented by John Holt
Venue: Birmingham & Midland Institute Birmingham
Time: 2pm
Monday 17 November
Regional Group: London
Event: Lecture
'Class 423 EMU (4VEP) Preservation & Operation' (Speaker from SETG)’
Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EL
Starts 6.30pm
Tuesday 18 November
Regional Group: London
Event: Walk - Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace
This is a linear walk along a former railway line from Finsbury Park station to Alexandra Palace, finishing at Alexandra Palace station. Start: Meet outside Finsbury Park national rail station (main entrance, Station Place) (zone 2) at 11.30am. Finish: At Alexandra Palace railway station (on Great Northern line).
Tuesday 18 November
Regional Group: South West
Event: Lecture by Zoom
‘The Furzebrook Railway’
Presented by Richard Heacock
Starts 7.30pm
Thursday 4 December
Regional Group: North West
Event: Social
NW Group Annual Lunch - 2025
Venue: The Pickering Arms Thelwall, WA4 2SU
1pm to 4pm
Friday 5 December
Regional Group: East Midlands
Event: Lecture
‘Taking boats uphill’
Presented by Ivan Cane
Venue: Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EH.
Time: 2pm
Saturday 6 December
Regional Group: North East
Event: Lecture
'The Highland Railway - Part 2'
Presented by Bill Jagger
Venue: York Explore Library, York
Time: 2pm
Saturday 13 December
Regional Group: North West
Event: Lecture
‘The Liverpool Overhead Railway’
Presented by Colin Brading
Venue: 6 Mount Street, Manchester
Starts 2pm
Saturday 13 December
Regional Group: West Midlands
Event: Lecture
‘My Life on Canals Part 2’
Presented by Graham Wrigley
Venue. Birmingham & Midland Institute, Birmingham
Time: 2pm
STEPHENSON LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY has the following presentations:
Saturday 4 October
SLS (Manchester Centre)
‘LOCOMOTION No. 1 - its Archaeology and History’
Presented by Michael Bailey
Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Starts 2pm
Wednesday 8 October
SLS (South Lakeland Centre)
‘Coastal Railways’
Presented by Steven Williams
Venue: Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowker's Lane, Kendal LA9 4DN.
Starts 7.30pm
Friday 10 October
SLS (Newcastle Centre)
‘The Northern Belle - Cruising in style by the LNER by Sam Woods’
Presented by Richard Barber
Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle.
Start time, 7pm.
Saturday 11 October
SLS (Kidderminster Centre)
‘Travels and Employment on British Railways in the 1950's’
Presented by Brian Lewis, Vice President and former SLS Chairman
Venue: Kidderminster Railway Museum, Kidderminster DY10 1QX
Start time, 2pm.
Monday 13 October
SLS (Ayrshire Centre)
‘Glasgow Dawsholm and Central Low-Level Services’
Presented by Albert Grieg
Venue: Lauriston Hotel, 15 South Crescent Road, Ardrossan KA22 8EA.
Start time 7.30pm.
Tuesday 21 October
SLS (Teesside Coulby Newham Centre)
‘Railways over the Stainmore Pass’
Presented by Chris Rowley
Venue: Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TF
Start time is 2pm.
Saturday 1 November
SLS (Manchester Centre)
‘Railways in the Fylde’
Presented by Peter Fitton
Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Starts 2pm
Friday 7 November
SLS (Teesside Middlesbrough Centre)
‘King's Cross to York and a few Diesels’
Presented by Chris Nettleton
Venue: Newport Community, Hub, Union Street, Middlesbrough.
Start time 7pm.
Saturday 8 November
SLS (Kidderminster Centre)
‘Poy Pourri - more railway films’
Presented by Ken Tyler
Venue: Kidderminster Railway Museum, Kidderminster DY10 1QX
Start time, 2pm.
Monday 10 November
SLS (Ayrshire Centre)
‘Unseen Footage Around the World’
Presented by Neil Hoskin
Venue: Lauriston Hotel, 15 South Crescent Road, Ardrossan KA22 8EA.
Start time 7.30pm.
Monday 10 November
SLS (South Lakeland Centre)
‘A Trans-Pennine Journey’
Presented by David Bousfield
Venue: Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowker's Lane, Kendal LA9 4DN.
Starts 7.30pm
Friday 14 November
SLS (Newcastle Centre)
‘A Photographic Journey from 1955 to 1968 of Steam at Carlisle and around Scotland - Alan Brookes Collection’
Presented by Malcolm Paul
Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle.
Start time, 7pm.
Tuesday 18 November
SLS (Teesside Coulby Newham Centre)
‘George, Robert, Timothy, Thomas ... and the Brolly Mab ... and some other local links’
Presented by Martin Peagram
Venue: Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TF
Start time is 2pm.
Friday 5 December
SLS (Teesside Middlesbrough Centre)
‘2023 Railway Scans’
Presented by David Warren
Venue: Newport Community, Hub, Union Street, Middlesbrough.
Start time 7pm.
Saturday 6 December
SLS (Manchester Centre)
‘Early Victorian Railway Excursions’
Presented by Susan Major
Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Starts 2pm
Monday 8 December
SLS (Ayrshire Centre)
‘The Life and Times of the Class 156 Sprinter’
Presented by David Coddington
Venue: Lauriston Hotel, 15 South Crescent Road, Ardrossan KA22 8EA.
Start time 7.30pm.
Wednesday 10 December
SLS (South Lakeland Centre)
Christmas Social
Friday 12 December
SLS (Newcastle Centre)
Members and Friends Evening
Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor, Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle.
Start time, 7pm.
Saturday 13 December
SLS (Kidderminster Centre)
Christmas Festivities - buffet and members contributions. To commence at 13:00
Thursday 18 December
SLS (Teesside Coulby Newham Centre)
‘German Steam in the 1970's’
Presented by David Birtle
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