These discs are collections of the CRA’s own Journal – Cumbrian Railways. Volumes 1 to 5 cover the period from inception in 1976 to 1996. Volumes 6 to 10 cover 1997 to 2012. These Journals are a valuable source of study of the railways of Cumbria over the first twenty years. Each CD contains separate pdf files for each volume. Each file contains every issue in that volume. The final issue also includes an index for the whole volume.

Over this period, a number of milestone articles have been published, together with some very fine examples of first-hand railway research on railways in Cumbria or in the areas adjoining Cumbria. It is understandable that the early copies vary in quality; this is entirely due to the methods of reproduction used at the time. Later volumes are professionally printed and are increasingly better illustrated, a number of these images coming from the ever-growing CRA archives.

Even though you might have some or all of these issues as hard copies, the fact that they can be searched using key words is an invaluable asset, vital to have on hand for quick reference.