West Midlands Group

Lock 11, Birmingham Canal Navigation in Wolverhampton crossed by the former GWR line from Low Level station towards Shrewsbury, then both being crossed by the BW&SV (LNWR) line from Birmingham towards Stafford via Wolverhampton.

The West Midland Group was formed in 1960 and is based in Birmingham, although the group’s catchment area extends through Mid Wales as far as Cardigan Bay.

We aim to provide a series of indoor meetings during the winter months (October – March) with outdoor visits, generally in the lighter months, on topics relating to the history of railways, canals and other forms of transport and industrial archaeology.

This page was last updated on 1st May 2026.

NEW: Please note, the date of the OXFORD CANAL walk has been changed from 30th May to 6th June. Other details of the event remain unchanged.

Current Meeting Venue

Our indoor meetings will take place at the Birmingham & Midlands Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS commencing at our usual time of 2pm. The venue is a short (10 minute) walk from either New Street or Snow Hill stations. There is a lift access to all floors.

All RCHS meetings are open to all Society members and friends. Visitors, not members of the Society, will also be welcomed.

Please check the website for details of individual meetings and any subsequent changes to this arrangement.

Go to the Group Events page to see a list of West Midlands Group events

Go to the Events Page to see a list of all RCHS events

For contact information see the West Midlands Group Contacts page

 Click here to view or download the answers to generated questions arising during the Worcester and Birmingham walks held during 2025.

In 1993, the West Midlands Group organised a walk that followed the Wyrley & Essington Canal from Walsall to Sneyd and used the newly re-opened passenger route from Bloxwich North to visit Churchbridge Railway interchange basin and the now demolished South Staffordshire Railway House near there.  This event was accompanied with copious notes which contained details of mining and industrial activities in the region visited.   Click here to view these Tour Notes

On Sunday 25th March 1984 the West Midlands Group arranged a walk in the vicinity of Alrewas and Burton-on-Trent, East Staffordshire, investigating the various Railway and Canal features in the area. Click here to view these Tour Notes.

Members can click here to see more former Tour Notes.