NRM - Availability of Materials For Research?

[woodyfox]

Hi,

 

Can anyone offer any guidance on the access and purchase of materials (copies of WTTs, station workings plans and diagrams) from the NRM please? I understand an appointment is necessary.

 

Thank you.

[Dava]

Start here: http://www.nrm.org.uk/researchandarchive/about

 

It explains access arrangements and the 'Search Engine' facility

 

Library access in Main Hall, recommended

 

Dava

[woodyfox]

Thanks Dava.

[Mark Saunders]

Remember to book a week in advance as it is closed Sunday to Tuesday and emails are not guaranteed to be answered when not open!

 

Take your note pad, pencil and digital camera as not all documents can be photocopied. There are limits to the number of items you can receive per day generally six ordered in advance and a further three on the day. 

 

It is best to know what you want in advance!

 

Mark Saunders

[woodyfox]

Thanks Mark, that's good to know. I can imagine a kid running round a sweet shop scenario.

[JeffP]

Once you've found what you want on their search engine, (NOT easy), let them know.

I did so and arrived to find all six drawings, rolled, awaiting my perusal. Staff were helpful and polite.

A great experience in all.

[Edge]

I requested access to materials at the NRm and they could not have been more helpful. They naturally watched my every move to ensure that I didn't damage important/ irreplaceable books, but otherwise left me alone.

 

They also have an extensive reference library available covering a large variety of subjects - this doesn't need 'pre-booking' and can just be picked up off the shelf. Anything along the lines of drawings/microfilms/documents will need to be requested. 

 

Regrettably when i was there, there was a bit of a kerfuffle with another member of the public who thought he should be allowed to trace a nearly 100 year old drawing and was kicking up a stink when he was told no. Please bear in mind that the NRM is charged with the protection and preservation of these documents and that they are quite rightly the ones that set the rules

[Steven B]

It's worth getting in touch with them asking if they have what you want. There are many railway related documents held at the National Archive and also within the current operating companies.

 

 

Steven B.

[John_Miles]

Might be worth looking at the National Archives at Kew. They have some WTTs and their catalogue is online. Be careful though, once you have been, you will find they have so much interesting stuff that it can become addictive.

[old_grandpops]

The HMRS has a large amount of timetables and archive material at the Museum & Study Centre, an email to the archivist on archivist@hmrs.org.uk with the information you are looking for may pay dividends.