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Post by Pilch on Aug 13, 2024 13:07:27 GMT 1
I started on the railway in 1990 as a shunter, that job didnt last long as inter city pulled out of shrewsbury and the old DMUs were swapped for new 158s & 153sĀ The old DMUs! I remember when they were first introduced on the Cambrian coast line. As a kid you would try and get the seat right in front behind the driver.Ā We used to go on a day trip to Barmouth with my mum and the views from the front were great, unless the driver pulled the blind down! I remember the DMUs being revamped in the 80s but they were really showing their age by then, especially mechanically. The climb up Talerddig saw them slow to a snails pace at times. I do remember one of these journeys when smoke started coming into the carriage from the engine below, the train failed at the summit.Ā It would probably result in the sack today but I remember in my early rail days the ( Shrewsbury ) driver would nearly always invite off or on duty staff into the cab if I they were boarding the train and saw you waiting to catch it I remember a driver , still there doing Crewe to Shrewsbury direct in 22 minutes in an old dmu , it was like a fairground rollercoaster ride š its all trackers and tachometer these days but believe it or not there was a manager who used to go to the track at random points and do a radar speed check , if the driver was over the limit he would be relieved of duty at the next point of call and the train was immediately taken out of service for examination |
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Post by HorsforthShrew on Aug 13, 2024 13:19:04 GMT 1
I too work for the Railway. My family history is mostly on trains. Building them, working in signal boxes during the war and now I work as a guard out of Leeds. Genuinely love my job!  |
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Post by essofsteel on Aug 13, 2024 15:51:57 GMT 1
As part of my apprenticeship at the Sheds I had to spend 6 months at a main locomotive works. I chose Crewe and loved every oily smokey minute.
I lodged there for a while and got to know a few of my fellow apprentices from around the country. We spent many a "happy" evening getting to know the town and local pubs, many of which are now gone.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2024 19:26:43 GMT 1
I too work for the Railway. My family history is mostly on trains. Building them, working in signal boxes during the war and now I work as a guard out of Leeds. Genuinely love my job! Superb to hear that. Don't know if there are many "railway families" left nowadays Did your Dad help you get the job? I understand that was how the family way worked, son followed Dad followed Grandad etc |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2024 19:29:46 GMT 1
Question guys..Did every staffed station have a "Gentlemens Collection" of special interest magazines? šššš
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Post by HorsforthShrew on Aug 13, 2024 19:35:42 GMT 1
I too work for the Railway. My family history is mostly on trains. Building them, working in signal boxes during the war and now I work as a guard out of Leeds. Genuinely love my job! Superb to hear that. Don't know if there are many "railway families" left nowadays Did your Dad help you get the job? I understand that was how the family way worked, son followed Dad followed Grandad etc Nope! My late mother worked as a caterer for Wales & Borders, then various roles in the midlands for Central Trains etc. I joined as a First Class Host in Reading for XC Trains, where changed to Retail Service Manager before getting Train Manager with me recently transferring up to Leeds. I was always around the railway and people who've lived it but kinda got myself the job. It's kinda funny, when I started in Reading the first question I was asked was who do I know. They seemed surprised when I said no one š¤£š¤£ |
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Post by albionshrew on Aug 13, 2024 22:03:36 GMT 1
Oh this takes me bacpk to being a trackman OK so that's 3 of us with a railway background Any others? I was employed by British Rail for 6 weeks in 1980. Was in a team of painters, carpenters etc.. Most boring job I ever had. They worked half a day and then drank tea until clocking off time. A very negative environment. I escaped to Brighton (via Wales) to become a road sweeper! |
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