CIRENCESTER

RAILWAY SOCIETY

The Cirencester Railway Society was formed in 1978 by John Thomas and John Head. They continued as Chairman and Treasurer until 2022- a remarkable record for which they have been recognised as Honorary Members.

Meetings are held at 7:30pm in the Bingham Library in Cirencester (GL7 2PZ) on the first Friday evening each winter month, October to April. An average of 20 members attend these meetings and refreshments are served.

Occasional outings are organised, often in conjunction with Stroud Vintage Transport & Engine Club. Whilst our members are primarily interested in full size railways several are also model railway enthusiasts.

CONTACT

• Chairman: Mike Smith
• Secretary: Rick Martin
• Treasurer: JohnTiffney

MEMBERSHIP

The annual subscription is £20, and the fee for visitors is £4. To join just attend and pay the Treasurer.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

• Friday 3rd January 2025 - Howard Parker
“Trials and Tribulations of Creating a Heritage Railway in the 21st Century”

It has been many years since we last had a talk from someone for the Vale of Berkeley Railway, so tonight VoBR Chairman Howard Parker will tell us something about the history of the railways of Sharpness, the VoBR achievements to date and their plans for the future.

• Friday 7th February, 2025 – Alan Price
"Barry Docks, the Barry Railway and Woodham's Scrapyard"

Alan has been a volunteer at Didcot Railway Centre for many years. Part 1 of tonight;s show covers the history of Barry Docks and the Barry Railway.

Part 2 covers the history of Woodham Brothers Ltd scrapyard at Barry Docks, and the preservation careers of many of the locomotives rescued from there.

• Friday 7th March 2025 – Mark Bladwell
"The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway - 1979 to date "

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway closed on 29th September 1935. The following day a wreath of bronze chrysanthemums was laid on the Barnstaple Town Station stop block. It bore a black-edged, hand-written card on which was written:

“To Barnstaple & Lynton Railway, with regret and sorrow from a constant user and admirer. Perchance it is not dead but sleepeth”.
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust was formed in 1979 and in 2004 a short section was reopened to passengers. Much has happened since then and Mark Bradwell will tell us what has been achieved since 1979.

• Sunday 9th March
Visit to Statfold Barn Railway: Spectacle of steam
Contact Mike Smith: mks1441@pobroadband.co.uk or 01453 757995

• Friday 4th April – Paul Chancellor
“A Spotter's life- a 12th Colour-Rail Journey”

2022-24 Meetings Archive

2022-24 Meetings Archive

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

• Gloucester Vintage & Country Extravaganza (1-3 August 2025)
. . 50th Anniversary!

• Fairford Steam, Classic & Retro Show (16-17 August 2025)

USEFUL WEB-LINKS

• Railway Club directory
• Cirencester Community Railway Project
• Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

• The Restoration & Archiving Trust - Cirencester Branch pdf
• 'The Slow Train' (Flanders & Swann, presented by Douglas)
• OS Maps from the 1950s - Sheet 157 (Swindon)

• Vale of Berkeley Railway, maps: 1955 and 2018

• Cirencester Town Stn: Google images - Disused Stations
• Cirencester Watermoor Stn: Google images - Disused Stations

• UK Rail Maps
• HS2 Project
• Great Western Railways

• Cotswold Canals Trust
• Pendon Museum (Abingdon)
• Rail Operators in Britain (pdf)

• Onboard OO camera: 1 - 2