 In the early 1980s, a group of members, centred on the society's committee, realised that the future of the organisation was limited in Peterborough, and investigated options for relocating the society elsewhere.It is understood that the committee believed that limited tourist traffic in Peterborough was a primary issue, along with apparently limited support from the local community.Indeed, the society suffered a severe loss of skills as "the railways" reduced its staffing in the town.