SHEFFIELD BRANCH
We meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of each month at Farm Road Sports & Social Club Farm Road, Sheffield S2 2TP. We use the en-suite function room, immediately right just inside the main entrance doors.
DRIVERS: NEW NUMBERPLATE RECOGNITION PARKING
ENTER YOUR REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ON ARRIVAL
ENTER YOUR REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ON ARRIVAL
Directions, Parking and Public transport connections at the end of these notes.
Members and non-members all welcome. Everyone is requested to make a £5 donation on entry to cover room hire, speaker expenses, and fund-raising for Peak Rail projects.
BRANCH PROGRAMME
Future Covid problems? Meeting Postponed? Please check with the Organiser at davidsharpsheffield@gmail.com <mailto:davidsharpsheffield@gmail.com> . Regular updates are sent to members of Peak Rail Sheffield Branch e-mailing list. You will also receive Ian's weekly list of transport-related TV Programmes for the week ahead. Very popular!
Please make life easier for everyone by requesting to join this list. Not a discussion group. You can remove your name by using the 'unsubscribe' link at the foot of each message from the list.
MEETING DATES
MON 5 JAN 2026
"A Race Around Britain" - James & Andrew Speed
In July 2025, branch member James and his son Andrew went on an All-Line 7-Day Rover ticket. They went on both of the Sleepers, saw over 80 locos, and got to Inverness, Holyhead, St Erth and Ramsgate, so all points of the compass. They took lots of photos so there is plenty of interest to see as they share their trip.
MON 2 FEB 2026
"The Royal Train - the Inside Story" - Geoff Griffiths - (Doncaster)
Geoff's railway career spanned 25 years 1975-2010 and the last seven years were spent working behind the scenes on The Royal Train. An intriguing look from the inside into a world rarely seen, and timely following the 2025 decision to end its active service.
MON 2 MAR 2026
David Hague, Sheffield's own Michael Portillo but without the red trousers!....
(1) “Switzerland Sun & Snow"
(2) " Italian Riviera Scenic Main Line”
(1) "Switzerland" is a sunny winter journey using scenic swiss railways and steamers to Lucerne, Locarno, St Moritz, Zermatt, the Bernese Oberland and Interlaken.
and after the interval....
(2) Walking and boating along the picturesque Cinque Terre coast in lovely autumn sunshine shadowing the route of the busy main line with its succession of tunnels and bays alongside the blue waters of the Italian Riviera.
MON 6 APR 2026 (Bank Hol)
“A History of DMUs” - Colin Boocock - (Derby)
A neglected subject but be amazed how far back this story stretches (1927) and be reminded of how much you have forgotten of something that most of us grew up with!
MON 4 MAY 2026 (Bank Hol)
"Railways in Art" - David Charlesworth GRA - (Chesterfield)
Profusely illustrated, the life and times of a member of theGuild of Railway Artists.
MON 1 JUN 2026
“A 43 year Railway Career” - Robin Skinner - (Bourne)
In BR days there were many varied career opportunities. Robin was born in Sheffield and started in Gresley House Doncaster in 1975 and then saw service at Sheffield Midland, Nunnery Carriage Sidings, Leeds City, Lincolnshire, Nottingham, The Robin Hood Line, Peterborough, Kings Cross, and when he retired in 2018 after 43 years service, he was Duty Operations Manager at York Control in charge of East Coast Main Line services of GNER.
MON 6 JUL 2026
“A Cinder Path Leads to the Shed” - John Hunt - (Scarborough)
After shows of atmospheric train-in-the-landscape shots of steam in the North East, and then Scotland, John agreed to come back to show his evocatively titled 'A Cinder Path leads to the Shed' again showing 1960s steam, but this time all around the UK. The title is the familiar wording which often ended directions to loco sheds in 'The British Locomotive Shed Directory', a necessary companion on trips away. Nostalgic!
MON 3 AUG 2026
“That was the Year that was - 1962” - Geoff Plumb - (Watford)
Geoff was born in Sheffield in 1949, into a railway-mad family. Geoff's father Derek Plumb and Howard Turner were founder members of RCTS Sheffield Branch in 1950, and Geoff is now Chairman of Watford Branch. After some early attempts with the family Box Brownie camera in the 1950s, March 1962 was when he was given his first 'proper' camera for his thirteenth birthday and he hasn't looked back since, culminating in his career as a professional TV Cameraman and covering 3 football world cups! We start at the beginning and 1962 includes local interest with Dore & Totley triangle and the Cromford & High Peak. London area trolleybuses get a look in, but it is mainly steam with Weymouth tramway, Isle of Wight, ECML pacifics at Hadley Wood + locations up and down the UK.
MON 7 SEP 2026
“A Selection of Sheffield Transport Films from the 1950s and 1960s" Paul Fox presents quality transport films including....
(1) "The Changing Scene" about the end of Sheffield trams.
(2) "Fox House, Gateway to the Moors" delightful tram, bus and countryside views following a family outing from Handsworth via Pond Street Bus Station.
(3) "Sheffield Lakeland Tour" a gathering of local excursion coaches making their refreshment stops at The Strines Inn.
MON 5 OCT 2026
details to follow
MON 2 NOV 2026
“Scenic Scottish Railways - Borders, Trossachs and Fife”
- Mike Fish - (Hessle)
A railway tour from Carlisle through the Borders via part of the Waverley route, the Trossachs through Callander, Lochearnhead, and Crieff, and then return via Perth and the Fife Coast and Forth Bridge to Edinburgh.
Shortbread in the biscuit tins tonight.
MON 7 DEC 2026
Pie, Pea & Mash Supper after Peak Rail Director "State of the Union" update and Q&A. Evening concludes with an hour of member's contributions.
First the latest news and developments direct from a Board Member, with Q&A. After an interval to replenish glasses, supper is served. The ample portions of freshly-made steak pie served up by the Cowshed Cafe (Border View Farm, Dronfield Woodhouse) are a winner, or alternatively you can order a cheese, potato & onion pie with broccoli.
After the Supper, member's contributions by arrangement.
DIRECTIONS TO FARM ROAD SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB
(postcode S2 2TP)
Farm Road starts at McDonalds, easy to find with its tall illuminated yellow "M" logo, and is immediate fork left off the A61 southbound at the south-east corner of the inner ring road. Farm Road is a one-way street running behind the Grosvenor Casino & Skating Rink buildings which face onto Queens Rd (A61). Farm Road Club adjoins McDonalds and has large on-site parking.
DRIVERS: NEW NUMBERPLATE RECOGNITION PARKING
ENTER YOUR REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ON ARRIVAL
ENTER YOUR REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ON ARRIVAL
First-timers are strongly recommended to preview their route with Google Maps Streetview (or equivalent) because with multiple routes and lanes, you are suddenly faced by a forest of traffic and pedestrian lights which can be overwhelming, particularly after dark.
A new development from 2023 was Sheffield city centre Clean Air Zone (CAZ). Most private vehicles are exempt. For non-exempt vehicles the way to reach one-way Farm Road without incurring the £10 CAZ fee is to avoid the former Granville Square by coming down Granville Road (A6135) and hugging left around the corner at McDonalds into Farm Road. Approaching from the south on A61 Queens Road, you need to detour uphill via Norfolk Park Rd to reach Granville Road.
Here are the links for:-
The Clean Air Zone map....
https://tinyurl.com/2s4feaxk
and to check your vehicle reg in the Government Vehicle checker....
https://tinyurl.com/3sfst63p
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
TRAIN
* the Club is a direct 500m walk from Sheffield railway station.
* alternatively the station footbridge gives direct access to Supertram.
* cross to the further tram platform and take any tram ('Halfway' or 'Herdings Park') for just one stop.
SUPERTRAM - 300m from Granville Road / Sheffield College tram stop.
* Leaving the tram, note the staggered platforms for your return journey.
* turn left, downhill down Granville Road.
* at the bottom, skirt McDonald's to turn left into Farm Road.
* the Club is next on your left, main entrance at far end of the building.
BUS
* nearby stops in Queens Rd., Shrewsbury Rd., and Granville Rd.
* or interchange in the city centre to take any Blue Route ('Halfway') or Purple Route ('Herdings Park') SUPERTRAM and alight at the 'Granville Road / The Sheffield College' stop - see above.
Enquiries to Sheffield Branch Programme organiser:
David Sharp
(h) 0114 274 5478
(m) 07487 685 306 (WhatsApp, phone or text)
(e) davidsharpsheffield@gmail.com
Hope you can join us, you will be very welcome
Ample free biscuits!