A Masonic tribute to Railway200

The history of railways is intrinsically linked to Freemasonry. Many of the pioneers in railway design were Freemasons, including George and Robert Stephenson, who created the world’s first commercially successful public railway: the Stockton & Darlington, 200 years ago. Their railway started the growth of railways to the national and international networks we know today.

Permanent Way Lodge No. 9951 felt this was an unique opportunity to celebrate this historic relationship by meeting in a Masonic room, built by the Great Eastern Railway. Most of the directors of the GER were Freemasons, including chairman Sir Claude Hamilton, so their Great Eastern Hotel at Liverpool Street, completed in 1884, incorporated two elaborate and finely-furnished Lodge meeting rooms – one of Egyptian style, the other Grecian. The Egyptian basement room is used today as a gym, while the Grecian remains exactly as built, but sensitively restored, on the first floor. Today, the hotel is operated by Andaz, which is part of the Hyatt group.

On Monday, 8th December, Permanent Way Lodge will meet in the Grecian Temple at the former Great Eastern Hotel to mark this, the 200th Anniversary of the dawn of the modern railway. The meeting starts promptly at 1500 hrs following which Masonic historian W.Bro. Dr Rob Hammond (a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No.2706, the Masonic Research Lodge) will explore the relationship between railways and Freemasonry, including the Great Eastern Hotel. Following meeting, there will be a ‘White Table’ dinner in the Ballroom, for all.

Support for charity

During the evening, there will be a draw for a wide range of valuable prizes and a short auction of railway-related items and, arranged by Crewe Railwayana Auctions. The aim of this event is to raise money for three children’s charities chosen by the Master of Permanent Way Lodge, Worshipful Brother Andrew Goodman, of Railway Support Services Ltd:

• Great Ormond Street Hospital for children

• Lifelites, a charity founded by Freemason W Bro. Rick Wakeman, to provide assistive and sensory technology for life-limited children as well as specialist palliative care

• Railway Children, which supports vulnerable children alone and at risk on the streets and at transport hubs such as railway stations, worldwide

Great Eastern steam locomotive at Liverpool Street!

To help this aim, a steam locomotive, possibly in steam, will be ‘parked’ for two days outside the Andaz Hotel at Liverpool Street!

Details and cost

The meeting takes place in the Grecian Temple at the Andaz Hotel (formerly Great Eastern Hotel) starting promptly at 3pm. During the meeting, non-masons will be entertained by a presentation from renowned professional photographer Jack Boskett, called From Railways to Royalty. Jack started his photographic career taking pictures of trains and, indeed, he still does. But his railway photography directly led to him being chosen for the Royal Rota, taking images of the Royal Family and his images have been used by news media throughout the world, and he amusingly tells the story of how this all came about. At the end of the Masonic meeting, the presentation by W. Bro Dr. Rob Hammond will take place for all to enjoy when he explores the compelling links between railways and Freemasonry. There will be an opportunity for guests to visit the Grecian Masonic Temple during the evening, and dinner will take place at 18.00 hours. The cost is £100 for non-masonic guests including dinner, wine and a commemorative gift while for Freemasons, the cost is £150 to cover the additional cost of hiring the room. For Masons attending the meeting only, the cost is £50.

Fore more details or to attend this momentous event please contact

Email: p.way9951secretary@gmail.com