The Collections of Fiona Forsythe B.A., M.Sc. Econ., M.C.I.L.I.P. and

Robert. N. Forsythe. M.A. Dip. I.A. Cert. Ed.

This document introduces the principal collections accessible through us. The prime collection is that of Transport Publicity materials largely but not exclusively of post-war British Isles interest.

Core areas are: British Railways 1948-1997 with its sub-themes like British Transport Hotels, British Railway's Shipping, Motorail, Paytrain, Intercity, Network South East, the All Lines timetable; other private railways; European Railways with France, Holland and Ireland well covered; there is public road transport and aviation publicity; shipping within which subjects especially well covered include British Waterways Board, Isle of Man Steam Packet, Sealink, Coast Lines and constitutents, Caledonian Steam Packet, Macbraynes, Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company, P&A Campbell White Funnel; the publicity of Industrial Archaeological heritage; and the publicity of transport publications.

Our other collections include Model Railways. This is a large but very eclectic collection, two of its few consistent themes being Mark One Coaches and Goods Brakevan Models. That collection largely relates to our model railway history researches and that in turn supports a very large collection of railway modelling magazines and catalogues.

There is a substantial photographic collection mostly on 35mm colour transparency. In the main this dates from 1970 onwards and covers railway, waterway/shipping and omnibus subjects plus a good selection of topography. It is supported with a postcard collection and that in turn includes a substantial pre 1922 railway element. Another supporting element is the ticket collection. Inevitably perhaps there is a stamp collection. This contains most Royal Mail issued FDCs from 1970 and also a substantial airmail cover collection relating to the British Empire inter-war. The themes of the philatelic collections are partly inherited from our parents.

The library is largely a working library to support our interests but viewed as a collection, it is particularly strong in David and Charles publications. Maps are an important sub-interest and there is a substantial collection over many scales and dating back to Ordnance Survey first editions. Work with the North Pennines and W. H. Auden ensures both these interests are well covered. Our materials are also an entry point into the Nash collection of Kate Robinson.