Well, hello everybody, I've at last found out how to get into the Forum !
My mother used to say that as soon as I could stand on my legs I demanded to be at the train window so that I could see out and during the war this often got her a window seat in the crowded trains of those years while father was away and she went Northeast to her home as often as possible - by train. Thus you can tell that I'm very old. My chosen user name confirms this too ! However, Timothy Hackworth really reflects my special interest in our very first railways, and the fact that during those very earliest times Tim was very much eclipsed by that George Stephenson gentleman.
So I've had a life long interest in railways. I was bought my first ABC on Darlington station when I was about 8 and the first number that went into it was 60069 Sceptre which arrived on an up express to take us back to London and Hertfordshire where I still live. I joined British Railways booking offices (Potters Bar) on leaving school and have been on and off until I retired in 1999. My best years were a mere five as second man on diesels at Kings Cross and Hornsey.
I now still can't get away from railways, read and write about them, railways ancient and modern and hope to keep better tabs on things by joining the Forum.
Cheers
Old Tim
