About THE SOCIETY
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.
The Society’s 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 Society publications. However, in recent years there has been an increase in interest in later periods, particularly the 1950s and 1960s.
The Society’s journal Invicta, is published twice a year and comprises of 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 Invicta has published what must be the definitive collection of information on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. Amongst many other topics 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
A Society newsletter, Onward, is published four 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.
In 2019, the SECR Society Modellers’ Gazette was launched as a digital publication for modellers of the SECR in all scales, gauges and time periods to showcase their models, layouts or latest item on the workbench.
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 showcase 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 meetings includes the Annual General Meeting — usually followed by interesting talks by members. In past 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.
Members of the Society have been actively involved in supporting the work of preservation societies such as the Kent and East Sussex Railway and the Bluebell Railway, where preserved SECR locomotives and rolling stock can be found. Members have provided background research and information for many commercial items of rolling stock, transfers and paints for the modeller.