A Brief History

Chipping Norton Railway Club was started by two local railway enthusiasts, John Brice and John Dyer. The club initially met in the Baptist Church schoolroom and soon attracted members of all ages, including several former railway staff.

Meetings in the first year included a meeting about Brunel and the GWR, a model railway evening, and a quiz! There was also a talk by the Tunnel Gricing Society who visited Chipping Norton and Hook Norton tunnels on the 26th of October. Funds were raised through a jumble sale and the sale of a Railway Club calendar!

In September 1974 a trip was organised for members to visit the Severn Valley Railway, travelling there by double-decker bus and enjoying a "slap-up" meal on the return.

Membership stood at 31 members in 1975, rising to 49 the following year. Numbers would fall in the late 1980s however, under the chairmanship of Alan Brain the club was re-invigorated and numbers reached an all-time high of 72 in 2005.

When the Baptist hall was no longer available the Club moved to the John Dory Hall at Penhurst, then to the Methodist schoolroom before finally settling at its current venue, Chipping Norton Town Hall.

Twice-yearly coach trips to heritage railways became a regular feature in the 1990s, sometimes including an overnight stay.

The Club was badly hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, with no meetings held in 2021.

2025 would see the retirement of Alan Brain as chairman; the membership voting to appoint him to the position of honorary president. Jeremy Eveleigh was elected as the new chairman with the club still thriving after fifty years.