This History is packed with solid information for the student of our Society's work and efforts, and also carries with it a condensed record of the evolution of the Locomotive and of the Railways of this country generally, and should therefore commend itself to every one of our members.
It is in some respects almost pathetic to read of the very moderate demands of the members in years gone by, and to compare them with those of the present day, put forward by men strong in their knowledge of a powerful Union behind them, with a greater realisation of what they are entitled to demand from society, and with a breadth of vision undared by the early pioneers:
How interesting to compare the figures of funds and membership at the end of 1882 with those of the close of 1920. In the former year we find the total receipts to have been £1,652 17s. 6d., expenditure £873 2s. 7½d., the funds at the end of the year being E2,966 3s: 3½d,, whilst some twenty. Branches boasted of a combined total membership of 671. At the end of 1920 we find 439 Branches with 71,344 members, several individual Branches having a greater number of members than the whole Society numbered in 1882, income £123,536 7s. 11d., expenditure £68,164 10s. 9d., and total funds £256,468 3s. 7d.
What an achievement, having regard to the difficulties which have been overcome. Yet we know there are yet greater heights to climb, greater events even than those recorded here are before us, and in humbly submitting this book to all our splendid members who man the iron horse or juggle with the electric mystery, I hope and believe that the men will be found to do credit to the heritage our pioneers have left to us, by fearlessly facing and overcoming all dangers and difficulties; and that our great Society may carry on from strength to strength, from success to even greater success, is the earnest wish of
