Industrial Railway Society Events and Visits
We do organise visits to industrial and heritage railway sites during the year for members and usually guests as well. Once details are confirmed they will be announced here.
Railway Support Services, Wishaw, Saturday 15th August
A visit to this site near Birmingham (not the Wishaw in Scotland!) on Saturday 15th August, starting at 10:00. It is the base for a fleet of hired diesel shunters, as well as a number of stored locos and items of railway rolling stock. Although this is one of the few sites today that will tolerate private individual visits, the main advantage of this group visit is that the normally locked shed containing some of the ex-LT Schöma/Claytons will be opened for inspection, and also the owner, Andrew Goodman, will be happy to answer any questions about the rail hire business, or his involvement with the heritage sector and his steam locos. The visit will begin at 10:00, and the fee is £10, which, at Andrew Goodman’s request, will be donated by the IRS to the Railway Children charity. Non-members are welcome, but will need to take out IRS day-membership for £2.
Payment in advance is required. Please book at www.irsshop.co.uk/RSS
The Chasewater Light Railway is staging a 1940s event that weekend, which may be of interest for those looking for somewhere to go afterwards.
Sales Stand
The Sales Stand is scheduled to attend the following events:
Amberley Museum Rail Gala, Amberley – 18th and 19th July
Garden Railway Show, Lymington Community Centre, Lymington – 8th and 9th August
Other Links & Events
From time to time members of the Industrial Railway Society and the IRS emailing list send in details of various events and open days around the country. As a service to members and other visitors to our website we can list these below, or in our bi-monthly newsletter, together with the sender’s name and email address (when known).
However please note that the IRS cannot take any responsibility for the accuracy of these announcements or even be sure whether they will actually take place. If you have any queries, please address them to the relevant society, NOT the IRS.
If you would like your event listed please email the Bulletin Editor.
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway, Skegness
2026 Services
The LCLR will operate trains on the following dates in 2026:
Steam: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th August.
Diesel: 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th & 30th August; 2nd, 5th, 12th, 13th, 19th & 26th September; and 24th October.
Please note that on Steam Days the first trains will be Diesel hauled, with the steam loco taking over about 11.30. Final train may also be diesel hauled.
On all days the first train departs at 10.30 – final train 15.45.
Fares: Adults & Children over 3 years old £2. Family ticket (2+3) £5. Dogs free.
Drive a Diesel
The Stephenson Steam Railway Museum, North Tyneside
Saturdays 9 May, 20 June, 19 September and 17 October.
Step into the cab of 03078 and take control in this hands-on driving experience as you operate and learn all about this classic British Rail Class 03 shunter, under expert tuition from our qualified instructors. You’ll learn how to prepare, start up and operate this powerful machine before collecting some wagons and taking a freight train for a run out on the line.
Click on the image for more information.
LORD GRANBY Open Day
The Eastwell Heritage Centre, Sunday 16th August.
3ft gauge 0-4-0ST LORD GRANBY (Hudswell Clarke 633 of 1902) will be on display at Eastwell Heritage Centre, Cross Roads Farm, Eastwell, Leicestershire LE14 4EF from 10:00 to 16:00 hours. Also on display will be a truck used to carry the ore and artefacts from times past and classic cars, with audio-visual and static displays to explain the origins and the activities of the ironstone workings. Free entry (donation appreciated) free parking, refreshments available.