The Steam years
Photograph: Stephen Leek
It was a cold foggy November day in 1955 when I made my way up to the Shed Master’s Office at the Redhill Motive Power Depot. As I walked along the track which I knew so well I wondered if Mr. H. Taylor, the Shedmaster would recognize me. If he did then perhaps he would turn me away. I was just 15 years old.
From about age of about 6years I had a great fascination with the Railways and in particular Steam Locomotives, and now at last the day had finally arrived and I was to be interviewed for employment by the man who had in the past shouted and chased me off railway property. The reason? I was looking at the Steam Engines and collecting their numbers, known as spotting, but I was also trespassing.
About two weeks before we broke up for the Christmas holidays in 1955 I was called to the Headmaster’s office. I immediately thought, “What have I done wrong this time?” Nothing, nothing at all, the Headmaster was out. It was the Careers Employment Officer that wished to interview me. “Michael please come in and sit down.” Several questions followed and he started filling in his forms. “Now I see you will leave school soon so have you any idea what sort of employment you would be best suited to?” “Yes” I replied “I have a job.” -----There was a long pause in the conversation. He put his pen down. “Oh where” he asked. Proudly I informed him that I had a job to go to the day after I left School; I was to start as a cleaner at Redhill M.P.D. And within a year I would be a Stoker. That interview was over. It had been a good interview with Mr. Taylor the Shedmaster; he had recognized me and at the end of our meeting I was so pleased to hear him say, “I know you are keen; I have seen you around the shed from time to time. When can you start?”
The Sand hole
Seen between goods wagon and Vulcan C2x 32449
Photograph: D. Fereday Glenn
The day after leaving school arrived and it was another bitterly cold morning with a slight dusting of snow. I was to report to the Shed Foreman, Mr. Bill Mathews. “You need some kit first lad” he said. Go to the stores and get some overalls.” Having been on the shed many times I knew exactly where to go, I taped on the hatch. “Oh bol****s you can f*** off as well,” came the reply. “But I want some kit! The Forman has sent me” I shouted back. “Well come to the side door you pratt!” Was the answer. This was how I was introduced to Ginger who was the duty storekeeper that day. He was a big man who suffered badly from shell shock. He had to hang on to the walls to move around the stores. However he soon had me kitted out complete with a cap and I returned to the foreman’s office for instructions. It was 0830.
More railway stories
| First days as a cleaner A good run A bad trip Perpetration and disposal Shunting Accidents Happen |
The Royal train Jim Prouton The acid bath The Night Train Bradby's Bridge |
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