Hello
 

Don't know how I got here but here I am. Think I might have something to contribute at some stage. I started working on the railway in 1952 as a Signalbox lad. I worked as a signalman for about 25 years then almost 25 years in various controls. My father worked on the railway for 51 years from 1924 until 1975. (something of a record believe)
So that's me! I'll come back but Cheers for now. John.

Hello John and welcome to the forum, look forward to some of your stories. Enjoy and all the best.

Hi John, welcome to the forum. Nice to see another East Anglian member.:D

We all look forward to a tale (or two) about your working life on the railways.:)

Silver Jubilee
 

Still trying to work my way around this forum. Thought you might be interested in an old menu I have dated 27.7 1939 (which was a Monday!) The Menu shows all the passing times between Newcastle and Kings Cross. You will be amazed at the extensive Menu where all the food was served up without the aid of Microwaves (or even frozen peas for that matter!) John

Hello John welcome to the forum.:)

Hello John and welcome to the Railway Forum. 4d for a cup of coffee! I was charged £4.75 in a hotel back in December.

Hello John and welcome to the Forum. Look forward to hearing any memories and details of where you worked on the railway. The 1939 menu is wonderful - great champagnes at 10/6 a bottle etc!

A very warm welcome from me too John. Nice to see such a menu! Quite mind boggling the difference in prices. Fun to review though, so thanks for that.
All the best and enjoy our company on this forum.
Phil

Fried or grilled Dover Sole for 2/6d (12.5p)? A decent fish finger costs more than that !
Welcome to the forum John.

Welcome to the forum, dear John.

Welcome to the Forum John. I think you'll find it very comfortable here. Looking forward to hearing more from you. :)

Will get around to describing my time on the railway but will probably have to start a new thread. The Silver Jubilee is something my Father often talked of. He worked on the LNER in the 30s' and 40s'. He told me how they would spend all night preparing the train and then when it reach Kings Cross the train had to be turned and then prepared again. Some Supermarkets have less in them than was in that kitchen car. When the train went through York at 11.23am and 8.06 (and a half pm) the driver would sound the whistle. The people of York were very impressed! John

Hi John
Love the silver jubilee train. Just attached a link from Pathe news at the time. Held the speed record for steam for a while too!
Brilliant
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/worlds-fastest-train
All the best
Phil

Thanks Phil but what are you doing with a name like that in LMS Derby. The Silver Fox was a close relative of the Mallard!!!

Yes you are right. Back in the late 50s and 60s Lincoln (40A) was my old stomping ground and a spit from the ECML. With Grantham, Retford and Doncaster but a stones throw, I was well placed. Not to mention when engineering works were being carried out Lincoln was the place to be on a Sunday for some serious spotting! My Dad worked on the railways too and so we had free tickets to travel all over the place and that often meant down to London - Dover - Oostend - Brussels to visit our Belgium relatives! Needless to say amongst many other fine examples of Eastern locos the A4s were my favourite along with the Brits. (plenty of A4s down in Finsbury Park and Top Shed in them days!)
Anyway cut a long story short we moved to Derby when our daughter married a Derby lad back in 88.
All the best
Phil

Welcome to the Forum John. Already enjoying your contributions!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

I have always had free travel. And it's the most wonderful perk imaginable. Especially now that I am retired. Started to describe my time on the railway but it's such a long story. Started as a Signalbox lad in Halifax 1952 and finished up in Norwich and Cambridge controls by way of most signal boxes in West Yorkshire then Controls at Leeds and York. (both District and Regional) Starting to feel my age now!!!

This is what members love, are the wonderful and colourful life stories of those days long past. So keep em coming, grand stuff
All the best
Phil

Does anybody remember the South Yorkshireman? A train that ran from Marylebone to Bradford? I had been on duty for 12 hours at Wyke Signal Box when the train had to be held on signals due to difficulties in a snow storm. The train was held for 4 hours waiting a path. I remember making a pot of tea for a woman on the train! When we eventually got moving and I was able to close the box, I had been on duty for 15 hours. Like most people in those days we didn't have a telephone so my wife had no idea what had happened to me.

Hello everybody!
 

Hello.

I am Linda.

This is my first time.

I been a very keen on steam trains and fast modern trains.

I have been videoing steam trains,for a few years;get excited.

Linda.:)

Hello Linda and welcome to the Railway Forum.

Yes Linda. Welcome. Perhaps you could make us a cup of tea............. sorry.
John.