OUR REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE HELD AT
LYSAGHTS INSTITUTE, NEWPORT
There is FREE parking for 50 cars within the grounds and overflow parking arranged
by Lysaghts in the adjacent Morrisons Supermarket car park
More details can be found in the Where We Meet page.
Venue address: Lysaght Institute, Orb Drive, Corporation Road, Newport, NP19 ORA
OUR NEXT MEETING
Thursday 18th April 2024 - 7pm start
Graham Sturgess The Vale of Berkley Railway
The Vale of Berkley is a new heritage railway created from the old branch line running from Sharpness Docks (its main base) to Berkeley Road on the main Bristol - Birmingham line. Closed in 1964, a team of enthusiasts are restoring it ready to run trains again. Engineering Director Graham Sturgess will provide an illustrated talk in April 2024 on the first 9 years of developments and what the future might hold.
Doors open at 6.45pm
While recognising that steam engines are still often the prime attraction to most enthusiasts, a careful balance between the past, present and future has enabled the Society to attract members with a wide variety of interests, including a number of professional railwaymen.
We have often been complimented on the fact that the Society strives to keep pace with the times. Every effort is made to record as much as possible for the changing contemporary scene for future reference.
For almost 40 years the Society organised railtours that toured the complex network of lines throughout South Wales, enabling enthusiasts from around the UK to navigate freight only lines that were normally inaccessible to the general public. The popularity of these tours was extraordinary, the public coming back for more year after year, many providing a profit and a much-valued income for the Society. They brought recognition to the Society and a great deal of pleasure to many enthusiasts from around the UK.
A permanent record of every one of our railtours has been compiled in the form of a slideshow and placed on this website. Click on the following link to access. MRS Railtours
In 2017 we celebrated our 60th Anniversary, which is thought to be quite unique and fine achievement for a railway society of our type and size.
Visits are sometimes arranged to railway installations not normally accessible to the public, also there are occasional Spring/Summer trips for members, friends and family.
A programme of guest speakers presenting a wide range of railway related topics is arranged each month from September to June.
All meetings are held at the Lysaghts Institute, Orb Drive, Corporation Rd, Newport where members and guests can meet in a friendly and convivial atmosphere. The ground floor meeting room has comprehensive media facilities, enabling most types of presentation.
The Society is continuing to form a photographic archive of the railways on Monmouthshire, with the aim of establishing a permanent record of the railway scene in the region. Since its inception in 1994 the collection has grown to over 1500 photographs many of which are used in Society publications.
The Society magazine “The Journal” has been published since our inception for members. Over the years it has evolved from a simple photocopy double sheet to in recent years, a high quality A4 colour publication.
The magazine is published in March and September exclusively to members, and in addition a ‘Newsletter’ keeps members up to date with the latest news and events.
Early editions of the ‘Journal’ contain a wide array of interesting topics and photographs. A helpful gazetteer is available to trace any articles which may be of interest. Members can view the complete journals from 1987 to date under the MRS Media heading on this page or by clicking here.