Archive collection list

The Archives hold the 'raw materials' of railway history: nationally and internationally significant collections, including letters from the birth of the railways, technical reports, vast engineering drawings collections and much more.

Railway company works and drawings

Working drawings for steam locomotives, carriages, and wagons, drawings registers and schedules, weight diagrams and arrangement drawings.

Independent manufacturing company drawings and records

Drawings and business records from some of the most significant railway manufacturing firms.

Personal, business and organisational papers

Some highly revealing personal records have been acquired by the Archives.

Technical and test records

A wealth of material describing locomotive and rolling stock design, performance, testing and history.

Documents and publicity material

Rule books, safety booklets, holiday guides, war memorials and much more.

Maps and plans

There are several hundred railway maps and plans in the Archives.

Timetables

We have an extensive collection of timetables from 1839 up to the present day.

Background: Suitcase with railway luggage labels