The Roy F Burrows Midland Collection Trust

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HISTORY OF THE TRUST

The Trust is a Registered Charity formed in September 2000 to make the comprehensive Midland Railway collection assembled by Roy Burrows accessible to the public for educational purposes.

Roy started collecting in the early 1950s. When the Trust was formed, it was estimated there were around 20,000 items in the collection but, after several years work in producing the catalogue (not yet complete), this estimate has been revised to around 35,000. It is probably the largest collection of its kind in the UK being devoted exclusively to a single pre-grouping railway company and its constituents.

A small part of the collection formed the basis of the acclaimed "Midland Railway 150" exhibition held in 1994 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Midland Railway Company. This exhibition went on public view initially at the Midland Hotel in Derby, then at the Derby Industrial Museum and finally at the National Railway Museum in York. It was as a result of this exposure that the historical significance of the collection was recognised and the consequent need to preserve it as an entity for future public benefit.

The vast majority of the Trust's collection is now located at the Midland Railway Study Centre in Derby and is accessible to the public (by appointment) for study and research.

Selection of Handbills