The Congress is composed of some 420 railway systems represented by nearly 1,500 delegates; and any railway company, the wide world over, that possesses a mileage of 62 miles or more is competent for membership.  In addition to holding Sessions the Congress publishes a monthly Bulletin (or did prior to the war), containing, besides original articles on all questions relating to the construction, operation, and organisation of railways, reproductions of interesting articles published in the railway and engineering papers of any nation, as well as notices of books and pamphlets on railway questions.  The Bulletin contains also all reports prepared for the various Sessions of the Congress and minutes of the discussions.  It was a great gathering that the late King Edward (then Prince of Wales) opened on June the 26th, 1895, when the Congress was in London.  The scene was the Imperial Institute, and the meetings lasted till July the 9th.  From all parts of the globe delegates came.  All was not dull routine for British hospitality abounded and the companies vied with each other in worthy entertainments, and Her Majesty the Queen saw fit to signalise the occasion by giving a garden party in its honour.

Mr. W. M. Acworth, the well-known writer on railway economics, and a keen but friendly critic of railway affairs, was appointed Secretary to the English Section of the Congress, and to him fell the principal work connected with the Session.  His scholarly and linguistic attainments and his varied travels, fitted him well for the task.  My eldest son, then a youth of 18, just entered the railway service, had the good fortune to be selected as one of Mr. Acworth’s assistants.  He had not long finished his education in France, and spoke the language fluently, which, of course, was a recommendation.  It was valuable experience to him as well as delightful work.  He conducted several parties of delegates through various parts of England and Ireland in connection with the many excursions that were arranged for their pleasure and profit.  The weather was very hot, and railway travelling at times oppressive, even to delegates from the sunny land of France, and shandy-gaff, a beverage new to most of the visitors, was in great request.  Said a French delegate one day to my son, as the train was approaching Rugby:  “Oh!  M’sieu Tatlow, the weather it is so hot; will you not at Rugby give us some of your beautiful char-a-banc?” On another occasion he was asked if he would “be so kind as to give the recipe for making that beautiful toast.”

At the close of the session in London, a number of the foreign delegates, at the invitation of the Irish Railway Companies, visited Ireland, and were shown its railways, and its beauty spots from east to west, from north to south.  It is not too much to say they were greatly impressed.  The splendid scenery that surrounds the island like a beautiful frame, delighted them, and the excellence of the Irish railways was no little surprise.  They did not expect to see such fine carriages, such handsome dining saloons, nor such permanent way and stations.  Of course we showed them our best and the best was very good.  Ireland is often accused of neglecting her opportunities, but never her hospitality.  On this occasion, personified by her railway companies, she neglected neither, and in the latter surpassed herself.