A Pictorial Introduction to the Society (Updated 15 October 2007)

An introductory page with visuals to help get the message across and we hope you will look at this section and say not only "Yes, railways are for me" but also decide that the SLS covers your particular interests. Of course there are other clubs and societies involved with the railway hobby.  Although clearly we hope that the SLS offers you what you want a secondary aim of the site is to encourage your railway interests and show you that you are not alone!

Prospective members should also note that in addition to the traditional ways in which Societies run, meetings, library loans etc, the SLS also has Members Forum section on our web-site for exchange of data and comments. The Members Section also has additional Photographic Sections.

From early railways through to Eurostar whether your interest is historic or modern, steam, diesel or electric, broad, standard, narrow or miniature gauges we have a place for you. Here we introduce you to the scope of the SLS through a few brief words and a selection of pictures showing the diversity present in the British railway scene:-

	Two replicas together at the National Railway Museum. On the left the broad gauge Iron Duke and on the right Stephenson's Rocket.
	The2ft gauge Hythe Pier tramway (third-rail electric) with the Queen Mary 2 in the background.  The tramway runs a daily service to a regular half-hourly schedule connecting with ferry boats running across Southampton Water.   Opened in 1909 the tramway was electrified in 1922 when locomotives were purchased second-hand from the Avon Mustard Gas Factory.  They are still in use 64 years later. - Photo taken in May 2006.
	On the RHDR these 15" gauge locomotives represent a main line in miniature. Shown here is No 5 Hercules at Hythe Station.
	With Corfe Castle in the background 30053 and 80104 were working Santa Specials on the Swanage Railway over Christmas 1999. M7 class 30053 is leading in this shot.
	A Wessex electric 442 unit heads north out of Weymouth with a Waterloo service. An older unit, since withdrawn, is at rest in the sidings laying over prior to working a late evening service.
	With the Summer 2000 timetable GNER introduced Eurostars onto the East Coast Main Line between Kings Cross and York. Two sets were hired in GNER black and the reserve set , shown here speeding past Colton, retained standard Eurostar livery.  They were later used on Leeds services but are now off-lease.
Because of problems during 2006 with our then web-provider (Orange) a full mirror of the SLS site was provided on another site. We have now completed the process by migrating to a new web-provider, and new URL, so the previous problems with images on the site should be a thing of the past.   All photographs on this page taken by John New and © John New / Island Publishing