The Society Archive

The Archive Has Reopened

The Society's archive was established in the 1980s when premises were first rented to house material accumulated by members.

The archive material is mostly in paper form of considerable variety. The quantity and variety continues to expand as will be seen on our archive catalogue page.

With increasing use of computers for record keeping, some of the archive material is being digitised and made available in that form. Take a look at our digital archive page for more detail.

Whilst part of our photographic collection is looked after by Kidderminster Railway Museum we have been accumulating other collections ourselves.

Our main Archive premises are at 35 Vine Street, Coventry CV1 5NH. This location is a 20 minute walk from Coventry Station and a ten minute walk from Pool Meadow Bus Station. This is marked on our OS Map page by a circular icon with a solid circle inside it. We also have other storage locations where we store the scanned or lesser used material so if you are seeking a particular item do check in advance. In addition the Archive has a well stocked library of books on signalling subjects, copies of the Society’s publications, and other documents.

When we are Open

The archive is open for research from 10.00 to 16.30 on selected dates which are shown on the calendar page of this web site. On these dates researchers may gain access without giving prior notice - but prior advice to the Archivist would be appreciated.

The SRS Archive is otherwise open by prior arrangement only to members and other bona-fide researchers. For an appointment, or for further information, contact the Archivist.

Access and Facilities

Level access is available from the street and within the search room.

Facilities are available to heat water for teas and coffee and a microwave for heating food. There are shops within a five minute walk and a branch of Sainsbury within reach.

Public wi-fi access is available.

The Society does not have any computers or scanners of its own but visitors are welcome to bring their own computers, small scanners and cameras with them.

How to Get to the Archive

Getting to the Archive by public transport

The nearest railway station served by both long distance and local trains is Coventry. Visit National Rail Enquiries for train times from your nearest station.

Walking Route from Coventry Station to the Archive

Leave the station by the down (north) side of the station and make your way across the town centre by any reasonable route. The distance is about 1½ miles and can be walked in 20 minutes if you are reasonably fit.

By Bus and Walking

Exit at the Birmingham end of the station onto Warwick Road. Cross the road and walk a few yards to bus stop WR5. Catch any of the frequent buses to Pool Meadow Bus Station. This is marked on our OS Map page by a circular icon with a solid circle inside it.

It is about a further half mile on foot from Pool Meadow. Walk to the north, under the ring road viaduct and then straight ahead onto White Street, keeping Swanswell Pool on your left, and the rear of the bus garage on your right, then continue ahead at the traffic lights into Primrose Hill Street, with Sidney Stringer Academy on your right. Vine Street is immediately after the Academy on the right.

By Bus all the way

Alternatively catch a no.17 bus on the same route, but these are only every half hour at best.

Getting to the Archive by car

The postcode is CV1 5NH which should be recognised by your sat-nav system.

On the Coventry Ring Road, look out for the exit marked “Hillfields B4109”. Clockwise, this is immediately after the Foleshill Road roundabout; anticlockwise it is the next after the Sky Blue Way exit. Beware that this exit has an unusual layout, and it is easy to go back onto the Ring Road! Turn to the north (away from the city centre), under the ring road viaduct and then straight ahead onto White Street, keeping Swanswell Pool on your left, and the rear of the bus garage on your right, then continue ahead at the traffic lights into Primrose Hill Street, with Sidney Stringer Academy on your right (speed humps!). Vine Street is immediately after the Academy on the right.

Parking for cars

There is an off street public car park nearby at Wellington Street, CV1 5JR. Charges Apply at all times using card or an app on your mobile phone.. Check the Coventry City Council web site for details and other car parks before leaving home!

Be aware that parking in Vine Street itself is controlled by pay on foot machines and permits. This may be free at weekends or when the machines break down, BUT make sure you check the notices on display to be certain.

You may well be better off using public transport unless you have a 'blue badge'!

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Donations To The Archive

The Archive continues to grow substantially, both from members’ donations and from official sources. The SRS is committed to working with the Railway Heritage Committee (RHC), The National Archives (TNA), National Railway Museum (NRM) and other statutory bodies, as well as Network Rail, to identify and rescue out-of-date records. A number of members with very substantial collections are known to have left these to the SRS in their Will, and the society seeks to ensure that arrangements are in place for a problem-free transfer of the records when the time comes.

We have produced a guide for donors which can be downloaded and printed out or just viewed in your browser. The guide includes sections setting out our policies, what we do and don't collect, digitisation and conservation.

We are also happy to accept donations of money towards the cost of housing and expandng the archive. If you would like to donate some funds please follow this link to donate.

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Signalling Records Held at the National Railway Museum (NRM)

Amongst the material held at the NRM is the “Croydon Collection” of material deposited with them during the privatisation processes of the mid 1990s by the S & T Signal Projects Group of British Railways, Southern Region. It comprises a range of drawings encompassing signal box diagrams, locking charts, wiring arrangements, architectural drawings and so on. Whilst the collection is not fully catalogued, John Creed produced a “Finding Aid” to help searchers locating documents in the collection.

The NRM accession number for the collection is NRM 1996-7909 and consists of 187 cardboard filing boxes.

Viewing of the documents requires a visit to the Search Engine at the NRM and advanced ordering is necessary giving them at least one week's notice. Current terms and conditions, requirements regarding identification and opening hours will be found here on the NRM's web site.