60 Years of Rail Publications

[SiHa]

Hi,

My father-in-law recently passed away after a lifetime as a Signals Engineer in the South / South West of England.
When clearing the house, we have found many publications stashed in the loft. We've kept other bits to remember him by, but it seems a shame to just throw this away.

I'm posting this here, in the hope that someone may be able to take some or all of it.

There are many copies of "Rail, "Trains Illustrated" and "Modern Railways" (all small format) from approx 1954 - 1964.

As well as this are timetables, operating manuals and a few signal drawings (sadly, quite tatty)
A beautifully illustrated "The Construction of Aerial on Roads and Railways -1906
Photo's below

If anybody could take any of these off our hands, we would be so happy

We're in Southampton, or happy to post for cost

EDIT: Thanks to all who responded - most of it has been safely rehomed,

 

[Gloster]

It is certainly worth making the effort: some of the stuff, particularly the Working Timetables, would probably find willing collectors. Have you tried the Southampton Model Railway Society? Even if they couldn’t take it themselves, they might have members who would or would know someone who might. (I wish I could get over from the island, but that’s not possible.)

 

[Magdalia]

Thanks for posting this on the forum.

You have a number of ways forward: which is best for you depends on whether you want to get everything into safe hands with little inconvenience, or whether you want to raise money by selling the collection.

For Southern Region documentation the Bluebell Railway have an extensive archive and they may be interested. The railway HQ is at Horsted Keynes but their archive is a bit nearer to you near Horsham. Similarly the Great Western Society at Didcot have an archive and they may be interested in Western Region documentation. For signalling specific documentation the Signalling Record Society have an archive, but they are further away from you in Kenilworth.

The risk with archives is that what you have to offer is already in their collection.

For selling the collection there are at least three options: using an auction house, using a specialist second hand book seller, or selling direct on the internet.

As a historical researcher my preference is for documentation ending up in established archives rather than private collections!

 

[30907]

I would love to buy the 4 SR timetables (section E 1957 etc) in photo #3, as they are my modelling period and would fill a gap! I am sending a PM.

Magazines of that period are relatively valuable - I don't know if the Watercress Line have a secondhand stall you could donate them too.

 

[SiHa]

It is certainly worth making the effort: some of the stuff, particularly the Working Timetables, would probably find willing collectors. Have you tried the Southampton Model Railway Society? Even if they couldn’t take it themselves, they might have members who would or would know someone who might. (I wish I could get over from the island, but that’s not possible.)

Thanks - we've not tried the Model Railway Society. I'll look them up.

 

[SiHa]

Thanks for posting this on the forum.

You have a number of ways forward: which is best for you depends on whether you want to get everything into safe hands with little inconvenience, or whether you want to raise money by selling the collection.

For Southern Region documentation the Bluebell Railway have an extensive archive and they may be interested. The railway HQ is at Horsted Keynes but their archive is a bit nearer to you near Horsham. Similarly the Great Western Society at Didcot have an archive and they may be interested in Western Region documentation. For signalling specific documentation the Signalling Record Society have an archive, but they are further away from you in Kenilworth.

The risk with archives is that what you have to offer is already in their collection.

For selling the collection there are at least three options: using an auction house, using a specialist second hand book seller, or selling direct on the internet.

As a historical researcher my preference is for documentation ending up in established archives rather than private collections!

Thanks for your reply - not looking to make any money, here. We would just like it if at least some of it could end up in the hands of people would appreciate it.

The signalling archive in particular is interesting, as the drawings could be shipped relatively inexpensively.
Thanks also for the suggestions of the other archives - I hadn't even considered anything other than private collections.

 

[crablab]

Personally, I'd certainly be interested in some of the IRSE publications, the signalling diagrams and maybe some of the timetables.

But if there's a museum or group that would be able to preserve and provide access to these documents for a wider group then that would be better

 

[SiHa]

Personally, I'd certainly be interested in some of the IRSE publications, the signalling diagrams and maybe some of the timetables.

But if there's a museum or group that would be able to preserve and provide access to these documents for a wider group then that would be better

I'd be happy to post the ISRE stuff. I can't seem to PM you, presumably I'm too new. If you want to send me a message we can sort it out

 

[crablab]

If you want to send me a message we can sort it out

PM'd as requested

 

[John Webb]

The Signalling Record Society is a national group devoted to maintaining records of UK signalling in particular. They can be contacted at:
https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/contactus.php
Some of your items they may already have, but the diagrams in particular would be appreciated - they have an archive which can safely store such paperwork.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Probably a bit late now but I would be interested in some of the IRSE booklets and signal diagrams

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am really pleased when stuff like this goes to appreciative people rather than going into the dustbin. I donated all my stuff to a local society.

 

[SiHa]

It is certainly worth making the effort: some of the stuff, particularly the Working Timetables, would probably find willing collectors. Have you tried the Southampton Model Railway Society? Even if they couldn’t take it themselves, they might have members who would or would know someone who might. (I wish I could get over from the island, but that’s not possible.)

We're coming over to the island (assuming you mean IOW) on 13th, for our anniversary . Would be happy to bring some stuff over and meet you somewhere near Ventnor on the Fri/Sat?

 

[SiHa]

Probably a bit late now but I would be interested in some of the IRSE booklets and signal diagrams

Sorry, the ISRE booklets have gone, but the signal diagrams are still here. I can post them, if you want to PM me your address.

 

[Gloster]

We're coming over to the island (assuming you mean IOW) on 13th, for our anniversary . Would be happy to bring some stuff over and meet you somewhere near Ventnor on the Fri/Sat?

Thanks for the offer, but unfortunately I can’t take it up. I live at the top of the island and a journey to and from Ventnor on the bus is more than I reckon I could cope with.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Sorry, the ISRE booklets have gone, but the signal diagrams are still here. I can post them, if you want to PM me your address.

I've sent you a PM