Annual Walk
Usually held on a Saturday in mid-September, the annual walk enables members from the different R.A.I.L. groups and their friends to get together for a pleasant stroll through London's railway heritage. There is usually a stop en-route for a picnic or pub lunch. Typical distances range from 10 to 15 miles, but the walking is usually easy and none too pressured. Walkers are welcome to obtain sponsorship for designated railway or charity projects if they wish, and sponsor forms will be endorsed by R.A.I.L. officials at the conclusion of the walk.
Past walks have included the former GNR line from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, the ex-LCDR lines from Nunhead to Greenwich Park and Crystal Palace, the LNWR Bushey - Rickmandsworth line, the Regent's and Grand Union canals, a tour of closed Underground stations, and further afield sections of the Welwyn - Luton, Alton - Winchester, East Grinstead - Tunbridge Wells and Longfield - Gravesend West branches. In 2004 we traced the route of the planned East London Line extensions from Clapham Junction to Dalston Junction, and in 2005 we explored the new Docklands Light Railway line between Woolwich Arsenal, London City Airport and Stratford.
The 2006 walk will take place on Saturday September 16, when we shall be walking the Wandle Trail and the route of the Surrey Iron Railway. Meeting at Wandsworth Town station at 10.30, we plan to start walking at 11.00, stopping for lunch between Morden and Carshalton and getting to East Croydon station by late afternoon. Walkers are recommended to bring a travelcard or similar pass, both for the return journey and/or to make use of public transport to break the journey at one of several intermediate points. For further details, and a sponsor form if required, contact the Hon Secretary.Annual Supper
Usually held on the second Wednesday in November, the Annual Supper follows the last quarterly business meeting of the year. The social evening begins with a buffet supper, after which the winner of the Silver Jubilee Award is announced and the prize presented. The evening concludes with a film show until around 22.00 or 22.30, giving members and representatives a chance to get together and chat on a less formal basis than the usual meetings. The evening is open to any members of the R.A.I.L. member groups - and guests - but for catering purposes tickets for the actual supper must be booked from the Hon Secretary in advance.
Publicity Exchange
The annual R.A.I.L. Publicity Exchange takes place at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum in mid-March. It provides a valuable opportunity for member groups to exchange publicity material ahead of the railway operating season, for distribution by other societies to their own members and to the general public. Whilst timetable leaflets form the bulk of today's materials, operating railways can also exchange larger posters and handbills for display on other railways' stations.
The Publicity Exchange concludes with a talk or slide show on a topic related to the railway preservation movement or wider aspects of museums and heritage issues. Arranged for R.A.I.L. by the London Area Group of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, the Publicity Exchange has attracted a wide range of speakers over the past few years with much to contribute.
For further details contact the Hon Secretary at secretary@rail-london.org.uk.