The Robert Stephenson Trust has been shunting its website into a different platform so has been off-line for a couple of weeks.

We’re back now, but the site is still being developed, so this is just a quick reminder that the Trust exists to celebrate and promote awareness of the life and achievements of Robert Stephenson and his father, including their personal contributions to the development of railways in Britain and the wider world and their role in making north-east England an industrial powerhouse.

As the Trust’s contribution to the Rail 200 bi-centenary we have just published a compact illustrated biography: Robert Stephenson FRS: from Willington Quay to Westminster. If you want to know more about the man and his achievements, many of which still stand as a reminder of his genius, a copy for delivery by post can be bought for £9.50 + £2 postage from the Friends of the National Railway Museum, email NRM.Friends@sciencemuseum.ac.uk or phone 01904-636874.

To learn more about the Trust and membership, or to enquire about our other publications, including our newsletter Rocket, or forthcoming events, please email rstrust@robertstephensontrust.com

Events over the next two months include a presentation by the Trust to the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership at Haltwhistle on 16 October (Robert Stephenson’s birthdate) at 1600 hrs; participation in the Stephenson Railway Museum/North Tyneside Railway Rail 200 Gala weekend 25-26 October; and the Trust’s Annual General Meeting in Newcastle on Saturday 15 November, 1400 hrs, venue to be confirmed.