A few words about supporting our railway clubs and societies, some of which have suffered as a consequence of the covid lockdown. Indeed I'm told by various club organisers that some local clubs may never re-open.
I'm involved with, the 'Railway Club Directory' (RCD) which is an altruist project dedicated solely to promoting traditional railway clubs and historical railway societies. This means:
(1) National railway clubs (like RCTS, LCGB and SLS);
(2) Specialised national railway societies (like the Industrial Railway Society and Narrow Gauge Railway Society);
(3) Historical 'line' societies (like the Great Central Railway Society, the North Eastern Railway Association and the Midland Railway Society), and
(4) Local railway clubs (of which there are over 60 throughout the country.
Preservation groups and model railway clubs are not included, as they are very well provided for elsewhere. However there are over 100 'traditional clubs' as defined above. Over 60 of them are already part of the RCD project, with the remainder going through consideration processes.
The RCD is doing three things.
Firstly, its publishing a printed railway club directory, a book entitled 'National Railway Society Directory', which includes entries of all 100 plus railway clubs and societies within its scope, with full particulars given about them over around 200 pages, including how to join them.
Secondly its creating a dedicated website to promote traditional railway clubs and historical railway societies. That is a work in progress.
The third is a social media presence. At the moment this comprises a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/railwayclubdirectory ) which has just launched, but will expand into other media.
The overall aim is to promote railway clubs and societies, in particular to generate interest in them and increase their membership.
If you'd like to know more, please visit the RCD Facebook page mentioned above.
And please consider joining a club. They provide many benefits of membership (many for £20 or less a year membership fee). Most publish very high quality journals, and many local clubs hold regular 'railway presentation' style meetings serving their local community. The latter in particular need support.
Richard Bowry
I'm involved with, the 'Railway Club Directory' (RCD) which is an altruist project dedicated solely to promoting traditional railway clubs and historical railway societies. This means:
(1) National railway clubs (like RCTS, LCGB and SLS);
(2) Specialised national railway societies (like the Industrial Railway Society and Narrow Gauge Railway Society);
(3) Historical 'line' societies (like the Great Central Railway Society, the North Eastern Railway Association and the Midland Railway Society), and
(4) Local railway clubs (of which there are over 60 throughout the country.
Preservation groups and model railway clubs are not included, as they are very well provided for elsewhere. However there are over 100 'traditional clubs' as defined above. Over 60 of them are already part of the RCD project, with the remainder going through consideration processes.
The RCD is doing three things.
Firstly, its publishing a printed railway club directory, a book entitled 'National Railway Society Directory', which includes entries of all 100 plus railway clubs and societies within its scope, with full particulars given about them over around 200 pages, including how to join them.
Secondly its creating a dedicated website to promote traditional railway clubs and historical railway societies. That is a work in progress.
The third is a social media presence. At the moment this comprises a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/railwayclubdirectory ) which has just launched, but will expand into other media.
The overall aim is to promote railway clubs and societies, in particular to generate interest in them and increase their membership.
If you'd like to know more, please visit the RCD Facebook page mentioned above.
And please consider joining a club. They provide many benefits of membership (many for £20 or less a year membership fee). Most publish very high quality journals, and many local clubs hold regular 'railway presentation' style meetings serving their local community. The latter in particular need support.
Richard Bowry