The London & North Western Railway Society Study Centre.
We have to move out of our Kenilworth premises very soon, but expect to be up and running in our new home by late November.
Full details will be published shortly
The Kenilworth premises provided excellent accommodation and facilities for researchers, and there were regular open days operated by friendly volunteers when the archives and library could be consulted. The open days have proved very popular and visitors have remarked very favourably on the quality and convenience of the facilities and on the friendliness, enthusiasm and knowledge of the volunteers. We hope our new home will continue in the same way.
The Study Centre will be open to anyone interested in researching the LNWR and related companies. Visitors wishing to view the archive material, browse the library of books and periodicals, or search and view the Society‘s large photograph collection on computer, or browse through the many albums of photographs held there, are very welcome. The members running the Study Centre are always happy to assist visitors with their research.
Since the opening of the Study Centre the volume of material in the archive and library has grown considerably. Today the collection runs to around 8,000 items, a large proportion of which are original. It covers all aspects of the work and operations of the LNWR and its successors, and includes minute books, reports, working and public timetables, appendices, and working instructions. There is a large collection of drawings and other information related to locomotives and rolling stock, stations, buildings, track and signalling. Many items are unique.
In addition there is an extensive reference library of books, periodicals and technical information. The associated bibliography of references to LNWR information, and to articles and other sources, runs to around 23,000 separate items. New material is constantly being added to the collections through a mixture of purchases, and generous donations and bequests.
The Study Centre, and indeed everything we do, is run by volunteers. We welcome new volunteers both to help at the Centre itself and to work remotely. To find out more, click here to be taken to our Volunteering page
The Study Centre is currently being packed up ready for our imminent move. Full details of our new building will be published shortly. Please contact us if you are looking for something specific, as we might be able to help you even with the packing going on. Always contact us a few days prior to your visit to ensure there have been no last minute changes. Please contact archivist@lnwrs.org.uk or projects@lnwrs.org.uk
