The Society was founded in 1973 to promote interest in the South Eastern and Chatham Railway; its two constituent railways, the London Chatham & Dover Railway and the South Eastern Railway; and its successors. Its aims are to encourage:
Prototype research
Publication of information
Accurate modelling
Most members are primarily interested in the pre-1923 Grouping era and this interest is reflected in its publications. However, in recent years there has been an increase in interest in later periods, particularly the 1950s and 1960s.
A Society newsletter Onward is published five times a year. This often contains Society news, book reviews, modelling news and reviews, preservation news, requests for information and rolling stock drawings and details.
The Society’s Journal Invicta, is published twice a year and comprises mainly articles based on prototype research complemented where appropriate by drawings, illustrations and photographs. A comprehensive index is published and back numbers are available to new members. Since 1973 this Journal has published what must be the definitive collection of information on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. Amongst many others these include articles on the following subjects:
Livery and lettering of the SER, LCDR, SECR, SR & BR(S)
Private Owner Wagon Liveries seen in the region
Goods stock details and drawings
Carriage and Non-Passenger Stock details and drawings
Anecdotes and Accident Reports
Permanent Way details
Station and lineside buildings
Society members have access to a Members’ Website which contains a large collection of files on Traffic Notices, Timetables, Rule Books and Track Diagrams, as well as information on signalling, locomotives and rolling stock. There are also pages where members can show images of their modelling accomplishments or artefact collections.
Two meetings are held each year, usually in Central London, to give members a chance to informally view and discuss each other’s models and research projects. One of these meeting includes the Annual General Meeting — usually followed by interesting talks by members. In recent years, Society days out have taken place to preserved railways where special tours and talks have taken place, and to sites of SECR historical interest.
The Society has been actively involved in supporting the work of preservation societies such as the Kent and East Sussex Railway and the Bluebell Railway. On both preserved SECR locomotives and rolling stock can be seen. Members have also been actively involved in providing background research and information for many commercial items of rolling stock, transfers and paints for the modeller.
The current subscription rates are UK — £20, Europe — £26
and Rest of the World — £32
You can read the Society’s Constitution by clicking HERE.
If you are interested in us and would like to join the society, please complete and return the application form which can be accessed by clicking HERE.
