North London SME honour LBSC

[Deleted]

Hi Guys

I wasn't aware of this but in our latest newsletter there is an article on LBSC, his relationship with our club ( he was patron until his death in 1967) and how members of the NLSME would visit his house to run on his POLAR garden railway. In honour of this great man who did so much for our hobby, a 'Blue Plague' was unveiled on Saturday 25th April by his old next door neighbour Mavis Harriott and fellow fans and acquaintances of Curly. I hope NLSME won't mind me sharing this info with a picture of the plague showing their appreciation of 'Curly'




Pete

[digger]

A fitting tribute to a great man, who inspired many to start and enjoy our interesting hobby.

Digger

[steamcoal]

Any way we can get to read the newsletter? .PDF or club website?

[Deleted]

I just checked the website and it seems we are a little behind,I have taken these images with my phone so please forgive the quality...









regards

Pete

[steamcoal]

Thanks for that insight into the history of our hobby.

Hayden

[steamcoal]

Apparently LBSC also owned one of the first modern refrigerators I was told just the other day.

Also coincidently the date of his death 4th November 1967 was exactly three years to the day prior to my date of birth in 1970. Something also happened on the 4 th November 1970 and it involved the Concorde aircraft from memory. Better look that one up. but I digress.

Maisie and I thank you, LBSC.

PS. maybe the plaque can be seen on Google streetview in time? Modern technology ah?

[jma1009]

hi pete,

many thanks for posting mike's article.

if anyone is interested in looking up where LBSC lived it is 121 Grange Road Purley.

cheers,
julian

[jma1009]

incidentally Ann Hatherill in the above pic is the late Bill Carter's daughter and has been involved in model engineering since the 1950s and there are many pictures in ME from the 1950s onwards of Ann driving locos on the SMEE track at the London Exhibitions.

LBSC's home (which he bought newly built in 1930) was next to the end of the terrace property at the end of Grange Road. all that side of Grange Road backed onto the ex-LBSCR lines on a raised embankment. the 'Polar Route' was at the very end of Grange Road on a parcel of land that was too small to build a house. the reference in Mike's article to 1944 and Mabel and Curly's evacuation to tthe Midlands to the Smiths is well documented in the war time 'small' editions of ME (due to paper shortages) and the next door property received a direct hit.

being somewhat familiar with the layout of London houses of that period, i am quite sure Curly re-sighted the kitchen which became the back room with the coal stove in it and where his workshop was situated. the drawing room and office was the backroom upstairs.

Charles Collett OBE GWR CME, Sir Aubrey Brocklebank (chair GWR loco committee), Reggie Hanks chair WR BR, Harold Holcroft, Sir William Stanier LMS, Robert Riddles CBE CME of BR, and James Crebbin 'Uncle Jim'of the SMEE and senior member of the Bank of England were all high profile visitors to 121 Grange Road and the 'Polar Route'.

cheers,
julian

[runner42]

May 18, 2015 11:43:23 GMT steamcoal said:

Apparently LBSC also owned one of the first modern refrigerators I was told just the other day.

Also coincidently the date of his death 4th November 1967 was exactly three years to the day prior to my date of birth in 1970. Something also happened on the 4 th November 1970 and it involved the Concorde aircraft from memory. Better look that one up. but I digress.

Maisie and I thank you, LBSC.

PS. maybe the plaque can be seen on Google streetview in time? Modern technology ah?

Hi Hayden,

yes possibly but not yet.

[steamcoal]

Found my little bit of lost information from my birthdate.

Concorde 001 (F-WTSS) reached Mach 2 on 4th November 1970 with Concorde 002 (G-BSST) reaching Mach 2 on November12th

Well I guess like the Concorde and Space Shuttle these are engineering acheivements that are no longer. Been there done that.

Hayden

[Tony K]

If I bought the house I think the first thing I would want to do, after boiling the kettle for a drink, would be to remove the plaque.

[runner42]

What does the credentials AMI. LOCO. E. stand for?

Brian

[alanstepney]

Associate Member of the Institute of Locomotive Engineers.

That was THE professional association for all the Chief Executives of the loco makers and operating companies and their most senior engineeers.

It was not possible to join unless one was in such a senior post, but they INVITED LBSC to join as he was acknowledged as an expert in that field.

[charley]

Brian,

Associate Member of the Institute of Locomotive Engineers. In 1969 it become part of the IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers).

I think in old money that is the equivalent of today's IEng.

Charley

[houstonceng]

May 24, 2015 6:10:19 GMT charley said:

Brian,

Associate Member of the Institute of Locomotive Engineers. In 1969 it become part of the IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers).

I think in old money that is the equivalent of today's IEng.

Charley

The INSTITUTION of Mechanical Engineers is NOT the same as Incorprated Engineer (IEng). The former is a Professional Engineering Institution as is the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institution of Civil Enginers, etc, etc. The latter is a Professional Registration category administered by the Engineering Council, UK (EC-UK). Other registrations are Chartered Engineer (CEng), Engineering Technician (Eng.Tech.) and ICT-Technician (ICT-Tech).

Professional Registration, in any of the various categories, is obtained my meeting certain educational and competency criteria, defined by the EC-UK, which are assessed under licence by the various Professional Institution.

MIET or FIET (Member or Fellow of the IET), for example, can be obtained separately from Professional Registration.

[charley]

HoustonCEng,

I think you misunderstand, isn't associate the equivalent of IEng these days - no matter what institution you are a member of? BEng plus 3 years or equivalent?

You could years ago for IEE only be a full member if you were CEng IIRC?

I'm an IET Mentor so I'm just trying to equate old money with new that's all,

Charley

[shooter]

Having just bought Brian Hollingsworth's book of the bay at a very good price,I can confirm that for anyone like me, who considers LBSC as a bit of a hero, it's a dam good read.

Just curious Tonytrans. why would you not want the plaque??

[runner42]

Thanks for the explanation of the credential awarded to LBSC. Am I right in understanding that this credential was awarded purely for his practical skills in designing and building model steam locomotives and not on any academic qualification he may have achieved? Credentials are generally awarded for academic achievement and possibly for specified years of work experience in the appropriate engineering area.

Brian

[springcrocus]

Probably similar to honorary doctorates etc, as given to actors and politicians for absolutely no acedemic competence whatever. Excuse my cynicism.

Steve

[alanstepney]

May 24, 2015 23:59:24 GMT runner42 said:

Thanks for the explanation of the credential awarded to LBSC. Am I right in understanding that this credential was awarded purely for his practical skills in designing and building model steam locomotives and not on any academic qualification he may have achieved? Credentials are generally awarded for academic achievement and possibly for specified years of work experience in the appropriate engineering area.

Brian

Thats basically correct.

(You used to be able to get, for example, MIEE or MIMechE, based upom lifelong experience, but AMIEE or AMIMechE based upon exam results. And yet they gave Curly AMILocoE.)

A professional qualificiation is far different from an honourary degree.