LMS JOURNAL
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In 1995 Midland Record was launched by Wild Swan and it was very successful but in 2001 our thoughts were directed towards the LMS with the idea of launching a journal dedicated to recording as much as possible about that company. In the autumn of that year we launched a 96 page Preview edition and continued on an occasional basis with 80 page journals. However, in 2004 we decided to produce four editions per year and this arrangement has proved to be very successful.
The underlying philosophy behind LMS Journal is to seek and use primary source material and not to just recycle what has been published before. All too often railway literature comprises little more than rehashed material containing the same errors and prejudices of previous writers, whose work has been copied and at times demonstrates a lack of understanding of how steam railways were operated. We consider that the experiences of railwaymen, who worked for the LMS or during the steam era of British Railways, are primary sources and for as long as possible their personal experiences will be included in LMS Journal.
The LMS had four operating divisions, Northern, Central, Western and Midland. In resolving the question of balance per edition we have also added, Joint Lines and Standard Practice as being criteria to be considered but, as we have said in past editorials, the mixture of articles can only be judged as the series unfolds.
None of the editions of LMS Journal is dated. A number identifies each edition; this means that any reference will be, subject, edition number and page number. By following this approach corrections can be made and new information added; this appears in the section entitled, LMS Times. This section is featured in most editions. We should also underline that we know we are not perfect and consider that any errors must be corrected for the benefit of future researchers.
Our overall objective is to record, as accurately as possible, railway history for the benefit of present and future generations. The time span covered by LMS Journal is principally from the 1923 grouping into Nationalisation and the end of steam, but often it is necessary to refer to the years prior to 1923 in order to present a complete story. LMS Journal is not a modelling magazine but many of the drawings, photographs and information found in the pages will be of immense benefit to modellers.
LMS Journal has a companion series, LMS Locomotive Profiles. Some years ago the editor of LMS Journal, together with Fred James, were invited to sort and list the Derby Collection of locomotive drawings held at the NRM and later it was agreed these drawings should provide the basis of the companion series which has proved to be very successful. David Hunt was invited to become series editor.
Bob Essery, Editor LMS Journal.
Articles should be sent to LMS Journal, Wild Swan Publications Ltd., 1-3 Hagbourne Road, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8DP. Please include SAE with all articles and illustrations submitted for return in case of non-acceptance. Authors must have permission to reproduce all photographs, drawings, etc, submitted.
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