Meetings

The Society's indoor and outdoor members meetings
for 2026.

All indoor meetings are held at the
St Ann's Millennium Centre, View Road, Rainhill, Merseyside, L35 0LE.
(off Warrington Road, A57, near to Railway Station.
On site vehicle parking available but all registrations must be registered inside the Centre upon arrival).

All meetings commenced at 19:30hrs
Tea / Coffee and Biscuits served at end of the meeting for nominal cost.

Monday 5 January 2026

This meeting has now been re-scheduled for Monday, 23 March 2026
'The Life and Works of E. Chambre Hardman'
by Roy Wainwright

(meeting was cancelled due to unsafe car park and no heat available at Millennium Centre.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused).

Monday, 2 February 2026

'North Wales Coast Railway'
(Afon to Bangor)
by David Waldren

This illustrated talk by David will cover Standard Gauge trains (plus a few 60s / 70s buses) starting at Pwllheli and travelling to Caernarfon via Afon Wen, then on the Anglesey before continuing along the North Wales Coast via Bangor.

Monday, 2 March 2026

'The Great Central & Midland Railway,
Joint Widnes Branch'
by Paul Wright
(Editor of 'The 8D Association' Journal)

An illustrated talk on the former three mile 'loop' line that operated through Widnes connecting with the CLC line at Hough Green Junction to Widnes West & East Junctions.

Monday, 23 March 2026

'The Life and Works of E. Chambre Hardman'
by Roy Wainwright

E. Chambre Hardman was a Liverpool photographer (married in Rainhill) from the early 1920’s to his death in 1988. His first studio was in Bold Street but he then moved to Rodney St in 1949, which the house is now owned by the National Trust. Roy's talk covers his life and works showing some of his photographs and also highlight the continuing work the National Trust is doing to conserve the collection there.

Monday, 13 April 2026

'A Drivers Eye View on board 6V91'
by Tony Foster

A film and commentary edited by Tony Foster of a cab ride on Class 47, No 47156, driven by ex BR driver, Rod Dixon from Speke Sidings to Crewe Gresty Lane via Ellesmere Port Sidings and the West Cheshire line, recorded on 28 August 1987.

Monday, 11 May 2026

'The Story of BR Standard 4 locomotive, No 76077'
(The Forgotten Standard)
by Ian Crowder

Ian is the Marketing Director of the Toddington Standard Locomotive Ltd, who are restoring the former Sutton Oak (8G), St Helens locomotive, BR Standard 4, No 76077 to working order. This illustrated talk is about the life of the locomotive (& classmates) in BR days, as well as providing restoration progress todate which is taking place at the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway.

Non-members are very welcome to attend any of the above meetings
but will be subject to a small £2 entry charge per person.

Below is a list of the events that the Societies PUBLICITY and SALES STAND are attending.
Please come along, say hello and have a friendly chat too.

Saturday / Sunday, 6 / 7 December 2025
(10:00 to 16:00)
North West Museum of Road Transport 'Santa Family Fun Weekend'
Hall Street, St Helens, WA10 1DU

Saturday, (to be confirmed) 2026
(09:00 to 13:00)
Rainhill Farmers Market.
St Ann's Millenium Centre, View Road, Rainhill, L35 0LE

Saturday / Sunday, 7/ 8 March 2026
(10:00 to 17:00)
Rainhill Model Railway Club, Model Railway Exhibition
Rainhill High School, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NY.