With effect from Tuesday 28th March 2023, the SLS Library at 140D Redland Road, Bristol, BS6 6YA will be open to SLS members by appointment and mutual agreement with the Librarian between 10.00 and 18.00 Tuesday to Saturday. Evening Access will depend on the Librarian's other commitments
The Library is 10 minutes walk from Redland Station on the Severn Branch line from Bristol Temple Meads.
On-street parking adjacent to the Library during the week 09.00-17.00 is free for the first 30 minutes and then £1 per hour, but the Librarian can arrange a Residents Visitor permit allowing free parking if notified of your car registration. There are no charges at weekends
Any member arriving by car and using a SatNav may find selecting Redland Road's junction with Hartington Park gives the best map point. The Library is the single storey building opposite that T junction. On the map to the right it is marked Spiller (the previous occupier) and is also identified with the X
Please note if travelling by car there is a Clean Air Zone in Central Bristol so you are advised to check on www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones website if your route takes you via the zone: access from the M5 Junction at 17 or the M32 at Junction 3 should avoid the charging zone
SatNavs - Any members arriving by car and using a SatNav may find selecting Redland Road's junction with Hartington Park gives the best map point. The Library is the single story building opposite the T junction. On the map it is marked Spiller (the previous occupier) and is also identified with an X.
CATALOGUE - All of the Current Library Catalogue is on line as either PDFs or as a CSV file loadable into various software options. The 2006 catalogue is now obsolete and has been withdrawn.
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BOOKS - We have books on all aspects of railways. The majority are on Britain's railways although the section on N American railroads is also extensive.
LISTS - There are lists of the motive power for most British, European and Overseas railways. We also have builders works lists covering most of the world's builders of motive power from various researchers and sources. including all of the late Prof. Mike Page's collection.
PAMPHLETS - A large collection of pamphlets, brochures and prepared papers covering a wide selection of railway matters.
PAPERS - from Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Locomotive Engineers, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Newcommen Society and the SLS.
DIAGRAMS - A selection of railway locomotive diagram books together with drawings of locomotives and rolling stock.
MAPS - The library has a good selection of maps, mostly British.
ACCIDENT REPORTS - A large selection of British official Accident Reports.
MAGAZINES - Complete runs of the SLS Journal, Railway Observer, Railway Magazine, Locomotive Magazine, Modern Railways and Railway World. Bound volumes of many other British railway magazines and a long run of the U.S. trains.
Timetables - A selection of British timetables both public and working and a small number of overseas timetables.
PHOTOGRAPHS - A large collection of photographs of British locomotives over the years for both large and small companies and of industrial locomotives. Also a selection of stations and running sheds. There is a good selection of overseas locomotives. The total collection contains over 80,000 photographs. See sub-section - SLS Library - Stanford Jacobs Collection which contains three photo's from the library's photo collection. Various photographs from the Library Photographic Collection will also appear regularly on the What, When or where? page and on the Answered What, When or where? page.
SPECIAL ITEMS FOR REFERENCE AT LIBRARY ONLY Railway Distance tables Railway Clearing House 1924 Original Kitson Works Records Kitson trial Book 1861-1938 Kitson Engines & Tenders Kitson Tank Engines Kitson tram & Light Railway Engines Kitson Locomotive Engines Vol 1 Kitson Locomotive Engines Vol 2 Kitson Locomotive Engines Vol 3 Nasmyth Wilson Loco Reference 1861-1897
An extensive Library catalogue is available. Lists of the photographs are in preparation.
For details of any help wanted pictures see page "What, when where?"
One of two "Stephenson" name plates from class 87s available for members to view in the SLS Library (opening dates as listed in the Journal.) Photo © John New. More about the SLS Nameplates collection is here, Click here or on photo to open larger copy of image.
New Centenary Headboard, created specially for the SLS by the Bluebell Railway (Hosts of our April 2009 AGM weekend) and one of several headboards preserved in the library. Click image for larger size copy. More about the SLS Special headboards is here. Photo © Brian Dotson.
To find us/Venue map >(Section updated 11 April 2023)
A map showing the wider area around the Library location is here. >(Section updated 17 April 2023)
SLS Library - Stanford Jacobs Collection
Meetings calendar
SLS Publications
SLS Journal (Membership service)
SLS Resources (Free service)
Photography collection and related
What, when, where? (Images unresolved)
What when, where? (Images solved)
About us / Contacts
The SLS Literary Award
Search and A to Z list
Notices and legal requirements page. (Including information on tracking and other cookies)
Links to other sites
Links to other railway sites (Off-site link)
