Just joined
 

Hello all enthusiasts.My interest in railways started in 1954 when my family moved to the midlands from the north east.Nearly all my class were keen "spotters"so I joined in and before long went on expeditions to Crewe and other exotic locations on the rail network!Left school at 15 and went to work at W.G.Bagnalls loco works in Stafford which was interesting but the factory was very old and there were accidents so I left and joined the RAF as an electrician on aircraft.my last close encounter with the rail network was the GWR line next to RAF Cosford !I have a few "atmospheric photos which I will post later!!41225 used to transport me to Rugeley trent valley every working day when I would switch to the train for Stafford!

Welcome to the forum.

Does this bring back memories ?:D

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64518788@N05/8042582700/

Hello and welcome to the forum, looking forward to your photo's, have a good look round and all the best.

Hello 41225 and welcome to the Railway Forum.

I believe 41225 was a Bushbury (3B W/ton) engine when i was there, it was fitted with push/pull equipment for working locals to Lichfield/Burton,but was superceded by diesel units. The fireman on these working's consisted of a senior or passed fireman, apparently they had a good turn of speed.
I never worked this engine,(being too junior) but did work the Burton local on occasions with a Stanier class 3 tank engine when the DMU. had failed.

Rugeley trent valley
 

I saw 1225 most days I was working in Stafford ,it stopped at Rugeley town and trent valley where I would get another to Stafford.Spoke to the crew quite a few times!!

Welcome 41225.

Hi 41225 and welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy this great forum
Cheers
Phil

Thanks to you all!I probably will be an infrequent poster but will do my best!When I left school at 15 I went straight to W.G.Bagnalls at "castle engine works"(still there on google).
The factory was built in 1840 and parts of it where showing its age!I was put on centre lathes and within three/four weeks left to get on with whatever was thrown at me!Lots of small parts were cast in the factory foundry and ended up with me having the faces skimmed ,sandbox tops and brake flanges that sort of stuff , also some bearing boxws and bits for cabs!The lathe next to my three was a big one and was used for turning axles and then I had to assist setting them up as it was a big job.At the end of the works was a new erecting shed in which Brush/Bagnall diesel loco chassis were erected(D5500 onwards)I made the sandbox lids for these and I saw them in the nat museum York where D5500(with a diff number!)resides.It was an interesting job but factory safety was not very good then and there was a fatal accident to an apprentice so I decided to leave and joined the RAF !!!

A very warm welcome to the forum.

Talking of big lathes reminds me of the one my father operated at times, it was actually the property of the National Coal Board. The operator would sit on a chair on the toolpost and move along with the cutting tool. I would have liked to have seen it.

Me too.That's some lathe.:D

Hi Everyone... Just doing some local history in and around Swinton/Pendlebury where I used to live up to 1960 aged 11. Living top Of Agecroft hill (Shirley Ave) I got down to our local sand pits along the Manchester-Bolton lines every weekend with mates to catch many Jubs etc. which were often on the fast lines. Have walked/cycled the entire line route from Radcliffe to Monton/Patricroft on old cliffton branch line (except black Harry tunnel of course!) and have many photos which I'll be uploading. Best wishes for now. (G1AGM - my other hobby)

Hi Gordwill2,
I used to live at the bottom of Beverly Road but I was 8 years older and left in 1954. I well remember the area. When I was younger we used to play on the fields that were covered by Salford Council using the area as a rubbish tip to form the playing fields that are there now. The railway used to be up on an embankment about 30 feet high. I often wish that I could go back to the early 50's with a modern camera to record the spectacular smoke effects of trains climbing Pendlebury Bank.

Hi Tony
 

Yeh... remember Beverly Rd well, my brother Arthur used to be friends with a lad Stephen Wittingham and I remember Susan Grundy from school whose father run a taxi service we used often. All a little later as you say before your move.
Alas the fast lines have gone as have the bridge over Agecroft rd. and nature has reclaimed the trackbed. We also ventured to Pendlebury station on occasions without our parents knowledge. We got on well with the station master, who's name I forget, observers book of trains in one hand and the train spotters bible by Ian Allen in the other.
But watching the jubs thundering up the bank from the sandhills was a wonderful sight, sadly lost for ever. Many a day spent hoping for the 'double pegs' to arrive from Pendleton in the pouring rain was worth the scolding we got for missing tea-time. Glad to share the experience.

In the summer I and friends used to sit at the top of a cutting just to the east of Rugeley trent valley which gave a great view.When the weather was not so good then we would stand on the bridge adjacent to the station!Great views of approaching trains from the Stafford end but you had to be quick if they emerged from the cutting to the east!Also spent a sunday or two cycling round Wolverhampton sneaking into sheds there!

Look forward to your posts from around where we used to live.My view was from Littleton Road.Spent many hours at 26B.
Stuart