Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/11



IRST, I must put on record a sense of deep appreciation of the responsible task entrusted to me by Mr. Bromley and the Executive Committee. I have enjoyed the execuition of it, the long months of exploration into the record, minutes and transactions of forty years. At times it has been arduous, but I think the writing of such a book is something worth living for. I have been able to trace the Society from a membership of 600 to one of 75,000, and for the change in conditions of work I must refer you to the story itself. By organisation you have won great things, and will yet win greater.

My second note must be of thanks, too, to Mr. Bromley for his advice and for the helpful manner in which he gave me carte-blanche and placed everything at my disposal; to Mr. Worthy Cooke for many helpful suggestions when he first read the manuscript; to Mr. Moore, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Wilson and other members of Head Office Staff for constant help in securing some wanted document. They have all contributed to make conditions as pleasant as possible.

I must also acknowledge the great help furnished by an index to articles on railway service, prepared for Mr. Fox by Mr. John Healey, of Sheffield, and covering the period 1879-1905.

Several pointed questions have been addressed to me about the evolution of locomotives, and I have decided to leave the reader who is interested to follow up that subject himself. My interest has been that of men, and if this book stirs many keen questions I shall be the better pleased. At the conclusion will be found a list of all the books consulted for the present work, and I only hope my readers will be so interested as to follow on with some of them.