Old Newbie
 

Hi folks Gerry signing in for the first time, seems I've found a good forum :)
I'm an ex footplate fireman of the early 60s at Retford.

Managed to get 4 years under my belt on steam and diesel before taking
redundancy, many highlights including firing my first A4 Silver Fox shortly before she was withdrawn in 63.

Now in control of my own railway all be it on a tressle........;)

Was that Retford GC or GN? Silver Fox (60017)

Just realised if you were on an A4 it must be GN

Hello and welcome to the forum Gerry.

Hi Gerry. Welcome to the forum.

Tony

Hi guys thanks for the welcome, as regards Retford I worked from both sheds.
We rarely got a chance at A4s unless one had a problem.

My chance came after working a fast goods to Peterborough, the return job was cancelled so it was back home on the cushions.
I said to my driver if theres an A4 on our ride I'm asking the crew if I can
fire it back to Retford.

Lo and Behold it was SF with a Donny crew who allowed me to join them.
Unfortunately by this period they were not maintaining them fully.
So when we hit 80mph the cab rocked violently making it nigh impossible to stand let alone fire it.

The Donny fireman showed me that by spragging ones bum against the back of the drivers seat and right foot into the tender end, it was possible to fire
in a fashion by timing ones self to the lurch of the cab.

First shovel full on the deck (:oD but it was an unforgettable ride none the less.

Welcome to the Forum Silver Fox. Look forward to more of your stories.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Welcome to the Railway Forum Silver Fox. Hope you enjoy it here.
Regards

Hello Gerry and welcome to the Railway Forum.

Hello Gerry and welcome to the forum, looking forward to some of your stories and I bet Locojoe is too, enjoy and all the best.

Hello Gerry welcome to the forum, I was a fireman at Kings Cross a bit before your time. I often passed through Retford on Doncaster trips and worked fast goods to New England.from Ferme Park.

I'm impressed by the welcome folks, I've tried other forums but they don't
have the same enthusiasm as this one.

I mean it takes no effort to respond, does it? (:0¬
Maybe I should start a thread of my memories? but I'll be damned if I can recall my exact starting and finishing date (:o( lost my details years ago.
Is there a data base I can access? maybe not.

Nice to be among you folks.

Take care Gerry
PS. Hi Locojoe I envy your experience in the (silver link)M8

Hi and welcome from another ex-footplateman, Saltley 21A then 2E.
Enjoy the forum.
All the best Mike.

Hi Mike thanks for the welcome, we footplate types should stick together
being a rare breed:)

Cheers Gerry