The Industrial Railway Society is a Registered Charity founded in 1949 to specialise in the study of privately owned railways, their motive power and rolling stock. Initially that meant those railways serving private industry but over the years the heritage railway movement has developed and we now devote much effort to recording that, so don’t be fooled by the name. We do cover preserved former mainline locos in their new careers, not just industrials. Our activities are summarised below :
A bi-monthly UK News Bulletin cov
ering current developments on industrial and heritage railways in the UK and Ireland, both as an A5 booklet summarising all the key news, available in printed and digital formats (suitable for viewing on your mobile), and in a larger (A4+) digital edition, in full colour and with more background detail, on-track plant reports and including internet and video links. Click on the image for a sample issue (16MB PDF).
A separate Overseas News Bulletin featuring reports on industrial and heritage railways throughout the world as an A5 booklet, available in printed and digital formats (suitable for viewing on your mobile). Click on the image for a sample issue (1.5MB PDF).
A well-researched and illustrated magazine, the Industrial Railway Record, 
featuring articles of historical interest on subjects seldom covered by the mainstream railway press but which represent an integral part of railway history. Currently on Volume 23, when each volume is complete an index is produced for that volume and the volume bound. There is also a combined index covering all volumes. Click on the image for a sample issue (18MB).
As we publish so many books it will come as no surprise that we have an on-li
ne shop. However, it doesn’t just sell our own books. It stocks a range of publications on railway-related and general industrial subjects, both new and second-hand. For more information click on the image.
We organise group visits to industrial railway 
sand preservation sites across the country. Whilst these are primarily for the benefit of members most usually allow the participation of non-members if they take out day membership. Visits are publicised by email and, if time permits, in the UK Bulletin. Those that require advance payment are also advertised on the on-line shop.
We are active publishers. No other UK railway society publishes as many books as us (five in 2025 
alone). It began with regional booklets listing basic details of all known industrial locos, but has steadily evolved into impressive works of research, providing information on each site as well as the locos. For the past fifty years we have produced the definitive EL series, listing all known extant locos and railcars on industrial and heritage railways in the UK and Ireland; regular update lists are circulated to members and subscribers. We also produce books covering specific items of industrial railway interest. All these publications are available to members at discounted prices.
We have an extensive archive of material related to industrial accumulated over more than 75 years an
d now housed at Statfold, near Tamworth. It is usually open once a month, supplemented by special occasions, such as the Statfold Spectacle of Steam weekends. To book an appointment please email archivist@irsociety.co.uk. The collection is still being catalogued, but for a list of the locomotive engineering drawings click here.
We host an on-
line chat group open to members and non-members alike to discuss all aspects of industrial and heritage railways, at home and abroad. Unlike many social media sites this one is noted for the informed nature of its discussions. To learn more click on the image.
The Industrial Railway Society is always happy to welcome new members and offers a variety of options to suit different preferences and pockets. Click on the image to find out more…
… and if you think all industrial locomotives are small tank engines or dinky diesel shunters, bear in mind that, on the basis of its maximum tractive effort of 52000 lbs, the second most powerful steam loco (after the LNER Garratt) to operate in the UK was an industrial, an 0-6-6-0 built to haul loose coupled 1300 ton coal trains at a Teesside steelworks, and the heaviest diesel working in the UK today is not, as you might think, a class 70 but a 150 ton Co-Co diesel-electric at a Yorkshire quarry.
