LOOKING BACK by Cyril Freezer

As our ninetieth year draws to a close, it is permissible to look back.

Although my memories don't go back to 1910, I did join in 1946, just before the first post-war exhibition. The Club was just getting over the trauma of the war years during which the physical assets and most of the records were destroyed in the blitz. There were no test tracks and no library, but as there was, in the original site, nowhere to store them in our rented accommodation [Waterloo Station], this was a minor detail. A couple years on, when Southern Region shifted the site, we did have a side arch for our own and were able to begin bringing bits and pieces together. At that time, Percy Keen was chairman, and although he was by then based in Hythe, he attended most meetings. This was less onerous than it would be today, since not only were long distance trains from the South Coast much less crowded than today, but we only met twice a month, on the first and third Thursdays. Then, as now, the third Thursday was a lecture, the first was track night.

The club was roughly organised in four groups, LMS, LNER GWR and Southern (they were still in existence in 1946), the groups took turns to 'organise' Track Nights. Then, as now, either individuals forgot which night was which, or members of other groups felt they had something worth showing. Some things never change.

I regard myself privileged in having known Percy Keen. He was as I recall, a Director of Hayes Wharf, though by then he had largely retired. Despite his undoubted wealth, he treated everyone alike, but had most respect for those members who were willing to take their coats off, roll up their sleeves and get down to a job of work for the club. The only people who got the cold shoulder were self important know it alls. Fortunately I'd learned, by then, the value of listening with respect to an older, experienced man. Percy Keen was adamant that the MRC should not use its early foundation as a reason for dictating to the hobby as a whole. Perhaps he was mistaken, in the post war days some firm direction from a respected group might have led to great things, but on the other hand there was reason behind this stance. He was fond of saying that, between the wars, there had been several attempts to lead the hobby. "Where are they now?" he once said to me. "The MRC carries on, serving its members, and it's still here." As I said, he favoured the workers.

There was one interesting example of this, at I think the 1950 AGM. We had just got to the point where tellers needed to be appointed when he spotted someone at the back of meeting. "Ah, Mr.Norris," he said loudly. "You will be a teller, won't you?" I thought at the time that W.S.Norris, whom I had met once at the Exhibition, looked more than usually annoyed at this, but no-one likes the job. I also thought Percy seemed pleased. Afterwards he came over to the little group, beaming widely. "I've achieved an ambition," he said cheerfully. "Norris always maintained that he would never do anything for the Club. I was determined I'd get him. I have!"

One of his tales, very apposite in view of Alan Blackburn's recent talk, related how, before WWI, a friend had a problem with crossing timbers on a piece of complex trackwork. They were due to ride on the LNWR inspection train, and there duly put the problem before the district engineer. He admitted he had no idea which alternative configuration was correct, but added that they were shortly to be joined by the division's most experienced ganger. Since the LNWR with some justification boasted the best permanent way in the world, he would know the answer. The ganger duly boarded the train, was introduced all round and then informed that these gentlemen had a problem for him. He studied the drawing for some time, removing his bowler hat and scratching his head. At length he came up with the answer "Well sir, when we gets a problem like this, we fudges it!"

©The Model Railway Club.