Special Interest Groups
The Society has a number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
Each has its own area which both members and non-members may access from the links below.
Each SIG has a members only section which members may access from the Members tab on the main menu bar or from the link RCHS Members Pages
The primary aim of the Group is the exchange of information among members by the periodic despatch (about twice annually) to members of a Newsletter, Occasional Papers (written by members and others and in some cases to be regarded as possible drafts of papers for the Society’s Journal) and other written material concerning the history of aviation. For more information contact the co-ordinator, John Nestor, via the email address: johnnestor@shieldstar.co.uk.
The ‘early railway’ is perhaps best defined by what it is not: the mainline public railway. Hence it covers all those railways from the first known, in Ancient Greece, to the advent of the modern railway from 1825 – and later, for those private or industrial lines that continued in the earlier tradition. This was a fascinating phase during which technology and practice were often fast developing and full of innovation: wooden, cast iron, and wrought iron rails; edge rails, plate rails and suspension systems; power sources of men, animals and engines. For more information contact the co-ordinator, Rowan Patel, via the email address: early.railway.group@gmail.com.
This Group is intended to encourage interest in the period since 1945 across the transport modes. This is an era which, in many cases, has seen nationalisation and de-nationalisation, modernisation and increased awareness of heritage, worthy of putting on the record. For more information contact the co-ordinator, Ray Shill, via the email address: rayshill25@gmail.com.
Pipelines and Materials Handling
Although pipelines and materials handling do not have the immediate visual attraction of other forms of transport and are therefore a minority interest in themselves, they have had a considerable impact on the history of other transport modes by reason of the competition they have presented. Besides the work of researching their history as a subject in itself, the Group is performing a useful function in making information on intermodal competition available to those engaged in researching other modes of transport. The position of Group Coordinator is currently vacant. Please diredt any enquiries about this group to: The RCHS Secretary.
The Railway & Canal Historical Society’s Railway Chronology Group seeks to bring together members interested in producing databases of railway Acts, line and station opening and closing dates, station renamings, etc, with a view to eventual publication. For more information contact the co-ordinator, E H Cheers, via the email address: rchschronology@aol.com.
The purpose of the Railway History Research Group is to provide a service to members who are involved in researching railway history from the start of the first steam-hauled passenger service onwards – and to encourage those who aspire to do so – by providing a forum in which they can seek information, try out ideas and disseminate information of potential value to fellow researchers. For more information contact the co-ordinator, Andrew Jones, via the email address: railwayhistory@outlook.com.
The primary aim of the Group is the exchange of information among members by the periodic despatch (thrice annually) to members of a Newsletter, Occasional Papers (written by members and others, and in some cases to be regarded as possible drafts of papers for the Society’s Journal) and other written material concerning the history of roads and of road transport of all kinds. For more information contact the co-ordinator, Peter Cross-Rudkin, via the email address: rtg@rchs.org.uk.
The aim of this Group is to foster the production of papers for the Society’s Journal and elsewhere, by assisting members engaged in researching inland waterway history, and by encouraging those who are thinking of embarking for the first time on research and writing in this field. Docks and shipping are also covered within this Group, and members are invited to submit items in these fields too. For more information contact the co-ordinator, Peter Cross-Rudkin, via the email address: whrg@rchs.org.uk.